Street artist Banksy has claimed a new piece of artwork which appears to have a theme of domestic abuse and fighting violence against women. Posted on his Instagram account today (February 14) on Valentine's Day, the wall painting appears to show a 1950s housewife, wearing a classic blue pinny and yellow washing up gloves.
Upon closer inspection however, the woman appears to have a swollen eye and a missing tooth and is seemingly shoving her male partner into a chest freezer. The series of photographs posted to his Instagram account was captioned “Valentine’s day mascara” and zoomed in twice to show a close-up of the woman’s smiling but seemingly battered face.
The piece is set on a white wall backdrop, on the side of a house, with users online speculating it is off Grosvenor Place in Margate, Kent. The elusive artist has also utilised rubbish on the ground in front of the artwork, including a broken white garden chair, a blue crate and an empty beer bottle.
Speculation so far has suggested the Bristol-born artist is referencing fighting violence against women on Valentine’s Day with many applauding the timing of the message.
@gaelle_van_k commented: "Fighting violence used against women. Even on Valentines Day. Always!"
@ghizlanetibati said: "It's the must important cleaning in her life happy valentine's Banksy."
@jackiemodesto added: "Fantastic and real image in Brazil where women die daily from domestic violence."
One man, andrewlopez1982, thinks he also noticed an additional message in the artwork and said: "Anyone else notice the Ukrainian colors? I think that's the message."
He could possibly be right as in December, the anonymous graffiti artist announced they had created 50 screenprints which would be sold to raise funds for a charity supporting the people of Ukraine.
Banksy previously confirmed they had spent time in Ukraine after posting a video of an artist spray-painting designs in the war-torn country and speaking to locals.
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