Tag Archives: Banksy

CovidArt, London

Banksy’s Game Changer generates £16.7 millions for the NHS charities

Earlier in March, it was announced that Christie’s auction house would be auctioning off Game Changer, the painting made by the elusive street artist Banksy in order to pay homage to NHS healthcare workers in the United Kingdom. The painting, which depicts a young child ignoring his superhero toys in favour of playing with one representing a nurse, has reportedly just sold for £16.7 millions (or approximately $22.9 millions), which is by far the highest price Banksy has ever fetched at auction. It’s both a great victory for the artist and for healthcare workers, because the money generated by the sale will be going to UK health charities.

Previously, the highest price Banksy had generated at auction was £9.9 millions, which was shelled out in 2019 for Devoted Parliament, the artist’s cheeky canvas depicting members of Britain’s parliament as chimpanzees. The higher price for the NHS-affiliated painting may have had something to do with the altruistic intent behind the sale; Banksy will donate the proceeds to “help support health organisations and charities across the UK that enhance the care and treatment provided by the NHS.” Additionally, in a statement regarding the sale of Game Changer, Christie’s said that the auction house will also “donate a significant portion of the Buyer’s Premium to these causes.”

When Game Changer first appeared in Southampton General Hospital (see our coverage here), it was almost stolen by a would-be thief brandishing a cordless drill. Fortunately, the saga of the painting appears to be ending quite well.

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Banksy funds refugee rescue boat Louise Michel

In 2019 elusive artist Banksy announced that he would finance a boat to rescue refugees attempting to reach Europe from north Africa.

The vessel, named Louise Michel after a French feminist anarchist, set off in secrecy on 18 August from the Spanish seaport of Burriana, near Valencia, and is now in the central Mediterranean where on Thursday it rescued 89 people in distress, including 14 women and four children.

It is now looking for a safe seaport to disembark the passengers or to transfer them to a European coastguard vessel.

Painted in bright pink with an extinguisher and featuring Banksy artwork depicting a girl in a life vest holding a heart-shaped safety buoy, the Louise Michel sails under a German flag. The 31-metre motor yacht, formerly owned by French customs authorities, is smaller but considerably faster than other NGO rescue vessels.

The crew, made up of European activists with long experience in search and rescue operations, had already assisted in two other rescue operations involving a total of 105 people, who are now onboard the NGO vessel Sea-Watch 4.

Donations are welcome to support the missions of the Louise Michel Lifeboat such as  medical supplies, SAR equipment, legal fees, boat maintenance, fuel and food so they can continue to save lives.

Pictures courtesy of MV Louise Michel / Ruben Neugebauer

Update – 29 August 2020

After rescuing 219 persons, with unfortunately one person passing away before reaching the boat, the Italian Coastguard have evacuated 49 of the most vulnerable guests on board of Louise Michel. They still need the support of European Authorities.

You can follow their live feed here

and donate here   www.mvlouisemichel.org

CovidArt, London, Street, streets

Covid’Art: Banksy’s intervention on the London tube

Following recent announcements that protective masks should be strongly recommended or mandatory when in public transport. Elusive artist is spreading his message to wear a mask in a humoristic way. He recently shared a video on his social account showing his latest intervention on the London underground.

Dressed in protective gear, he sprayed his signature rats in funny situations and playing around with masks. Lastly he sprayed his Banksy tag inside the carriage.

Images courtesy of Banksy. View the video here

CovidArt

Covid’Art: Banksy ‘Game Changer’ gift to the NHS

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Banksy has donated a new piece of artwork to be displayed in a hospital corridor of Southampton General Hospital.

The piece, entitled Game Changer shows a boy dressed in dungarees playing with a nurse superhero toy, with figures of Batman and Spiderman in a basket on the floor.

The nurse, wearing a cape, face mask and a white apron featuring a red cross, has her arm raised as if she is flying.

Banksy left a note for hospital workers, saying: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if its only black and white.”

Paula Head, chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Here at Southampton, our hospital family has been directly impacted with the tragic loss of much loved and respected members of staff and friends.

“The fact that Banksy has chosen us to recognise the outstanding contribution everyone in and with the NHS is making, in unprecedented times, is a huge honour.

“It will be really valued by everyone in the hospital as people get a moment in their busy lives to pause, reflect and appreciate this piece of art.

“It will no doubt also be a massive boost to morale for everyone who works and is cared for at our hospital.”

The hospital previously paid tribute to members of staff Mike Brown, 61, and Katy Davis, 38, who both died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Mr Brown, a linen porter who had been with the organisation for 20 years, died on April 29 after receiving care in the hospital’s critical care unit.
He was described as a well-recognised and popular member of staff who shared his good sense of humour with those around him.

Ms Davis, who worked in child health, had been unwell for some time before her admission to hospital and died on April 21 after testing positive for Covid-19.
She was described by Ms Head as a “nurse people would aspire to be like”.

The one meter sized artwork is now visible to staff and patients on level C of the Southampton General. It will then be auctioned to raise money for NHS charities this autumn.

Pictures courtesy of Banksy’s instagram and Nurse Jennifer Hammond

Street, streets, Videos

Birmingham: Banksy festive artwork to highlight homelessness

Banksy has unveiled new artwork in Birmingham to highlight homelessness this Christmas.

The painted mural appeared on a brick wall on Vyse Street in the city’s jewellery quarter on 9 December. In a video posted to Banksy’s Instagram page, a homeless man named Ryan can be seen having a drink before settling down on a bench with his belongings. As the camera pans outwards, a pair of reindeers can be seen painted next to the bench, appearing to carry him away into the star-filled sky.

The caption with the video reads: “In the 20 minutes we filmed Ryan on this bench passers-by gave him a hot drink, two chocolate bars and a lighter – without him ever asking for anything.”