ANOTHER ACCOLADE OF PRAISE FOR CARE STAFF

Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist, vandal, political activist, and film director, active since the 1990s. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stencilling technique. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities, and art displays throughout the world. This artwork painted by him to honour health care workers during lockdown, entitled Game Changer, features a child playing with a nurse doll wearing a face mask and cape. Figures of superheroes Batman and Spider-Man can be seen in a wastebasket on the floor. This has gone on display to staff and patients on Level C of Southhampton General Hospital, England. Banksy left a note for hospital workers, saying: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brighten the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white”. The hospital has, with Banksy’s approval, entitled the piece “Painting for Saints,” according to a spokeswoman for NHS. The name is a reference to the city’s Premier League football team, which is affectionately known as “The Saints.”

The NHS did not immediately respond to a request to confirm the message that the artist left for the hospital. Banksy however, confirmed that the artwork was his, after he posted it on Instagram. The artwork was auctioned for 16.8 million UK Pounds, which was later used for UK National Health Charities.
Banksy displays his art on publicly visible surfaces such as walls and self-built physical prop pieces. His public “installations” are regularly resold, often even by removing the wall they were painted on. In 2014, he was awarded Person of the Year at the 2014 Webby Awards.

WELL DONE NURSES and HEALTHCARE WORKERS!