For over nine months, war has ravished the European continent through Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Darkness once again has fallen across vast swathes of what seemed to be such a union of stable lands. The humanitarian costs are incalculable as a once peaceful country had been plunged into conflict. Set to this theatre of war, Banksy has once again produced a body of work that is poignant, thoughtful and authentic.
Numbering one confirmed work (four remain pending verification), the artworks have appeared across a number of locations in the war ravaged country - a reminder of the beauty to be found in the spirit of human creation set to such a brutal backdrop. Delicately executed, thematically the series tells of loss, of pain and of suffering. Gone is the hope that was once found in works such as Girl with Balloon and back is the anger and of Love is in the Air and more barbed pieces.
The human spirit seemingly endures through the verified work of a slight acrobat cast in black and white paint on the canvas of a ruined building. Accompanied by the caption “Borodyanka, Ukraine” the figure balances on the rubble of a damaged building - a poignant reminder of the illusion of safety and the essence of fragility that society and civilisation carry.
Borodianka, a town north-west of Kyiv, was pummelled by Russian bombs at the beginning of the invasion. Over the course of the war, Ukraine has gallantly fought back taking key areas from Russian forces.
A mural depicting a man resembling the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, being thrown to the floor during a judo match with a young boy has appeared amongst other works. The second, a dancer in leotard with neckbrace and free flowing flag hovering over a bombed out space. Another showed two children using a metal tank trap as a seesaw and the most recent one shows a Babushka in a gas mask holding a fire extinguisher.
These works cement Banksy as one of the most important artists who succinctly and powerful captures fine emotion. Bringing further attention to the tragedy, the artist shows the indomitable human spirit, of creativity and of solidarity. Values that are all too often forgotten in such dark times.
The ghostly figures inhabit streets where life seemed to flow so freely. Performers in the theatre of war with no audience. With no applause. With no flowers to be thrown at their feet. Yet perform they do. Maybe not to the residents of these now chaotic avenues but to a global stage who wills them to succeed.
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