MORE details have emerged about the mystery street artist who has been posting Banksy-style pictures on fences and lampposts around Hexham.

The stenciller, who uses the tag, Serann, is currently exhibiting some of her work – for Hexham’s Banksy is indeed a woman – upstairs in the Artful gallery on Battle Hill.

Some are straightforward stencils, spraypainted on board, whilst others are collages overlaid with stencils. Most of them carry anti-war or anti-consumerist messages.

For example, one, which is reminiscent of a Russian Constructivist poster, reads, ‘Support an oligarch – buy more stuff’.

Another features a man feeding humanitarianism into a shredder, whilst another is a collage of newspaper cuttings about special forces being sent to Syria with a suited man stencilled overtop brandishing a missile in one hand and a green dollar sign in the other. ‘Follow Your Leaders and Don’t Ask Questions’ is the wording.

Artful owner Kelly Morgan said the artist is a good friend from the Hexham area, who uses the Serann tag to protect her identity in the same way that Banksy does.

“She is someone who I have always known to have a distinct voice and understated talent,” said Kelly.

“I was aware of the street art, which is where her passion truly lies, because it’s a medium that allows for strong political views and raising the debate to an open audience.

“Because of the style, there are obvious comparisons to Banksy, a fellow street artist who had equally humble goals.

“People who are unfamiliar with the free art movement and stencil art, may not recognise the difference.”

Kelly said it had taken her years to convince her to exhibit in the gallery.“She is incredibly shy and wants her art to speak for itself,” she added.

“She has been working on her art for herself for years and wanted to finally share it with the Hexham community.

“ I believe in her art, even though I may not always agree with her point of view. I think it’s great that she’s doing what artists are supposed to do – raising debate in a beautiful and respectful way.”

Kelly said that although Serann’s work was a departure from the shop’s usual style, Serann’s ethos was a good fit with Artful’s raison d’etre – that art should be affordable to all, not a select few.

Serann’s work is certainly affordable, with the paintings in her exhibition priced at between £25 and £95. You’d be well advised to snap one up before she becomes as big as Banksy!