Wolverhampton arts group behind Banksy-inspired pub graffiti 'on brink of collapse'

Mental Spaces was set up two years ago and is based at the Newhampton Arts Centre in Wolverhampton.

The group was recently commissioned by Banks's owner Marstons for the paintings on its pubs in a marketing ploy.

However, the future of the organisation is in doubt after it could no longer afford the £900 rent at the centre.

Corin Stephenson Salter, art director at Mental Spaces, said: "With sadness we have been forced to give notice on our space at Newhampton Arts Centre.

"I was assured that we would get funding to continue to provide a free space for artists to meet and practice but this has been withdrawn in the present political climate.

"We held on as long as we could."

The 42-year-old director who founded the organisation in 2015, says the group struggled due to lack of funding from both Arts Council England and The City of Wolverhampton University.

He added: "I can no longer afford to keep paying the £900 per month it costs to keep the space."

For the past two years, Mental Spaces has been in operation in the West Side Artists' Quarter as part of Wolverhampton's arts scene.

Last year it opened up a new gallery called the Asylum Art Gallery and were responsible for nearly 50 exhibitions in the city. It has taken on more than 70 people on work experience as well as bringing in interns to work on project from across Europe.

More recently, Mental Spaces' affiliated artists have been involved in 'graffolarge' – with the boards of the derelict eye infirmary in Chapel Ash being made into artwork and there are also behind Banks's new graffiti marketing campaign across the city. During last year it received the backing of Wolverhampton South West MP Rob Marris who has visited exhibitions curated by the organisation.

Mental Spaces first got attention when it convinced Blur to play at NAC.

Mr Stephenson Salter added: "Blur's backroom staff are all mostly from Wolverhampton and one of our members, Neil Roberts who runs Mental Images, one of the creative units we have at Newhampton Arts Centre had known them for years – they did it to support the local arts scene."

It's these collaborative efforts which have paved the way for the community interest company's expansion.

Following the Blur gig, it voluntarily re-decorated the former school.

Mr Stephenson Salter added: "Over the last three years I have personally invested £30,000 and free labour six days a week – along with our other associates.

"We did over 100 hours unpaid work repainting the main space and instigating the renovation of the entrance to Dunkley Street."