Police are investigating claims a street artist “vandalised” a listed block of flats by painting a mural which shows a couple falling from the top of the building.
The Rebel Bear was given permission by City of Edinburgh Council to create the “falling in love” artwork 15m (49ft) up on the side of the A-listed Cables Wynd House in Leith.
However, the artist failed to get the consent of the building’s residents, who are objecting to the content of the piece, before arriving in a cherry picker to paint it on Thursday.
The local authority has said the work will be “removed as quickly as possible”.
The artwork – which has previously appeared on the side of a building in Glasgow’s Merchant City – shows a man wearing a dark suit kissing a woman in a red dress as they fall through the air.
The council gave planning consent for the work in April on the condition the artist also gained the permission of the private residents and tenants in the block, nicknamed the “Banana Flats” for their unusual curved shape.
The Cables Wynd House Residents Group rejected the plans, citing the work’s “distressing” nature, due to perceived associations with suicide and domestic violence.
They were surprised when the artist appeared on the high crane platform on Thursday to paint the work, despite being challenged by the building manager and council workers.
The residents group has now called for a police investigation into the incident.
“The artist chose to paint the disturbing images resembling suicide and domestic violence and also murder-suicides that have happened here,” the group said in a statement.
“Despite the council refusing permission for this piece, he went ahead anyway, ignoring both the rules and the people who actually live with the consequences.
“For some residents, this so-called art has been deeply distressing and had triggered many painful memories of the very real tragedies in our community.”
The statement added: “The artist decided that his ego outweighed the wellbeing of the residents.
“That arrogance has caused real harm and people who should feel safe in their community are instead left with a daily reminder of heartbreak.”
ContributedThe Rebel Bear, described as the “Scottish Banksy,” gained fame during lockdown for his Covid-inspired artwork.
A mural featuring a couple pulling down their face masks to share a kiss and another of a nurse in protective equipment making a heart sign with blue-gloved hands became popular public artworks during the pandemic.
Other works by the artist, whose identity is unknown, have been painted elsewhere in Edinburgh, including on Princes Street and Rose Street.
He declined to comment when contacted by Scotland.
The council said it was investigating ways to remove the art which did not damage the building but added it would be painted over in the meantime.
The Banana Flats were given category A-listed status by Historic Environment Scotland as a leading example of Scottish brutalism in 2017.
Police Scotland said inquiries into the incident were ongoing.
The council’s housing convener, councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, said: “While planning permission was obtained to install the artwork, this does not cover other necessary consents, including permission from the building owners, who are both the council and private building owners in the block.
“As a result, and to protect public safety, officers requested the artist to stop work on Thursday and will be removing the artwork as soon as possible.”
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