The famously anonymous street artist Banksy has unveiled a new artwork, this time in the UK coastal town of Dover. His subject: the UK's impending departure from the European Union.
Image: Reuters/H. McKay
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Street artist Banksy has struck again, this time in the British port town of Dover.
The mural is clearly visible to ferry travelers arriving in the UK from FranceImage: Reuters/H. McKay
A new work by the elusive British graffiti legend appeared overnight Sunday on a wall in the ferry port, which connects England with the European mainland.
The mural depicts the EU flag, with a worker chipping away at one of the 12 gold stars.
The artist posted pictures of the work on his official Instagram feed on Sunday.
His representative has since confirmed that the mural is a Banksy original.
The artwork comes just a month after the UK officially gave notice that it was leaving the EU bloc, kicking off the contentious Brexit negotiations.
Art with a message
In 2015, this mural of a kitten - presumably by Banksy - appeared on the remains of a house destroyed by Israeli shelling in the Gaza StripImage: Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Banksy is no stranger to controversy, and often uses his work to comment on cultural, political and social issues.
Previous targets have included Paris Hilton, Wall Street and the US detention center Guantanamo Bay, the last work appearing at Disneyland in California.
In 2015, at the height of the EU migrant crisis, the artist created four artworks at the Jungle migrant camp in Calais, France.
Earlier this year, he opened the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, a guesthouse near Israel's huge security barrier in the occupied West Bank with the "worst view of any hotel in the world."
Banksy : King of urban art
He works in secret and creates street art in urban spaces. He sometimes works on paper on commission. Banksy's art comes with a hefty price tag. Collector Dirk Kronsbein has 45 of his works and is showing them in Munich.
Image: Banksy/Girl with Balloon
Paparazzi Rat
Banksy's stencil piece "Paparazzi Rat" is one of his most iconic works. Starting April 15, 2016, collector Dirk Kronsbein is showing 45 works from his Banksy collection, many of them originals, in his Munich gallery. Kronsbein has said he holds Banksy in high regard due to his social activism.
Image: Banksy/Paparazzi Rat
Toxic Mary
Maria feeds Baby Jesus with a bottle that's adorned with a skull. Bomber jets are flying below them in this macabre picture. Dirk Kronsbein owns the original "Toxic Maria." Originals are hard to come by on the art market and can cost around 625,000 euros ($713,000).
Image: Banksy/Toxic Mary
Monkey Queen
Banksy is not only critical of society, he also has a sense of humor. Here, he's depicted the Queen as a chimpanzee in royal regalia. Banksy donates the proceeds from his works to charity. He was once able to present a six-figure check to a youth sports club after the sale of one painting. Dirk Kronsbein also plans to support sport programs for children with his exhibition.
Image: Bansky/Monkey Queen
Chose your Weapon
Dirk Kronsbein only sells a Banksy work if he owns more than one copy of it - as in the case of "Choose Your Weapon." It's an homage to artist Keith Haring with his dog. Kronsbein also sells Banksy paraphernalia and donates the proceeds to boxing programs for troubled youth.
Image: Banksy/Choose Your Weapon
Heavy Weapon
Banksy often deals with armed violence and armament in his work. In "Heavy Weapon," he shows an elephant with a missile on its back. While graffiti in urban spaces is often illegal, on paper they're collector items. Even copies can cost as much as 100,000 euros.
Image: Banksy/Heavy Weapon
Girl Nola
Not all of Banksy's works are political. He's also created poetic stencil paintings like "Girl Nola," whose umbrella is spilling red and yellow rain. Who is Banksy? He remains an enigma and fiercely guards the secret of his identity. All efforts to find out who he really is have been in vain.
Image: Banksy/Nola
Kate Moss
Owning a Banksy is a status symbol enjoyed by many celebrities. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as well as model Kate Moss, all possess works by the mysterious street artist. Moss not only collects Banksy's works, but also became one: She had herself portrayed by him in the Pop Art style of Andy Warhol's iconic Marilyn Monroe painting.
Image: Banksy/Kate Moss
Girl with Balloon
Coldplay singer Chris Martin purchased the original painting "Girl with Balloon" at an auction. Not only celebrities, but also other artists like Damien Hirst collect works by Banksy. Hirst was among the first to recognize the street artist's talent.
