Handstand in the destroyed house
Banksy sends a greeting to Ukraine
11/12/2022 7:56 am
Anonymous street artist Banksy leaves a photo in Ukraine. On his Instagram channel he posts a photo of a girl doing a handstand. He writes only two words: “Borodyanka, Ukraine”.
Street artist Banksy has immortalized himself with a work of art in Ukraine according to photos. On Friday evening, the street artist posted photos of a work on a destroyed house on his Instagram channel, which were said to have been taken in the heavily damaged Kiev suburb of Borodyanka.
The photo shows a girl on the gray wall of a war-damaged house, apparently holding her hand over the rubble. “Borodjanka, Ukraine” reads the accompanying text. The publication on his Instagram channel is traditionally seen as a sign that the British-born Banksy confirms a work as his own.
Borodyanka, northwest of the capital Kiev, was captured by Russian troops on February 24, shortly after the start of the war. In April, Ukrainian units were able to liberate the settlement. Ukraine accuses Russian troops of committing “mass atrocities” in the suburbs, as well as in Bucha, Hostomel and Irpin. These include murder, kidnapping, torture and rape.
Until now, Banksy has only devoted himself to one picture in Ukraine. However, British media speculate that he may have left other works in the country. In Borodyanka, for example, a wall shows a young boy throwing a grown man to the ground while playing judo – apparently an allusion to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is a keen judoka. In the suburb of Kiev, Irpin, a rhythmic gymnast wearing a neck brace and holding a ribbon jumps over a hole in a wall. A fourth work, similar to Banksy’s signature spray style, shows two children in Kiev using a metal tank trap as a saw.
The famous street artist has also traveled to crisis zones in the past, including the West Coast. He is also committed to helping refugees and has funded, among other things, a ship for rescue operations in the Mediterranean. Many works are socially critical.
Banksy’s identity and age remain unknown. When the British University for the Creative Arts awarded him an honorary professorship, the chair remained empty. The only thing that is fairly certain is that he comes from the western English city of Bristol. His works fetch millions at auction. However, he constantly criticizes the traditional art world with museums and galleries.