Venice |

Italy’s culture ministry has announced the restoration of a damaged Banksy mural in Venice, known as “Migrant Child” (2019).

The torch has faded, and almost extinguished. The contours of the life jacket are uncertain. The migrant child, the work created by Banksy in Venice in May 2019 during World refugee day, is rapidly disappearing under the slaps of the wave motion and the corrosive effect of the salt.

A spray wall stencil, on the wall of an abandoned building in Rio Novo, one of the busiest canals in the city, a few steps from Campo Santa Margherita. The Undersecretary of Culture, Vittorio Sgarbi, wants to save the work. The restoration of Migrant Child will be financed by a banking foundation in agreement with Sgarbi himself. “We are not interested in having the artist’s consent, the mural was created illegally. I take responsibility”, Sgarbi’s words.

The move is sparking a debate : should Street Art keep its ephemeral nature?

During the opening of the Venice Biennale a few stencils appeared across the city which gave indication of the presence of the elusive British artist.
While still unconfirmed yet, a politically charged piece shows a young child wearing a life jacket and holding a pink flare up in the air, a migrant calling for rescuers. It was spotted on the island of Dorsoduro.

On Banksy’s website and his social media the artist posted a video in Venice with following comment
‘ Setting out my stall at the Venice Biennale.
Despite being the largest and most prestigious art event in the world, for some reason I’ve never been invited.’