A string of new artworks from Banksy have appeared on damaged buildings in a war-stricken area of Ukraine. The world has reacted after Banksy ended speculation and affirmed his first known public work in more than 12 months.
The anonymous street artist, who is believed to be from Bristol, appeared to confirm he was responsible for the artwork after posting three images on his Instagram page on Friday night (November 11). The art depicts a gymnast on the side of a building in Borodyanka, in the Kyiv region of Ukraine, which was an area heavily bombed in the Russian invasion.
There are also four more artworks believed to be by the street artist, including one depicting a child throwing a man on the floor in judo clothing and another of a woman waving a ribbon in a leotard and a neck brace. Images of the former began circulating online on Wednesday (November 9) with speculation growing that it might be the work of the illusive artist. Other images have emerged of children on a seesaw and a person in a gas mask - these four artworks are also thought to be the work of the artist due to the similar style but are as of yet unconfirmed.
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Photojournalist Ed Ram shared a photo of the image he took. "I visited Borodyanka in Ukraine today to report for @GettyImagesNews and took this photo of graffiti in a residential area that was destroyed at the start of the conflict. Does anyone know if it’s a Banksy? Thanks," he wrote on Twitter.
Banksy's work is often imbued with social and political commentary. The artist has ventured into war-torn countries in the past, including the Gaza Strip in 2015 and Bethlehem in 2017. These images are said to be his first public work since August 2021 when several Banksy artworks, collectively titled A Great British Spraycation, appeared in several East Anglian towns.
Many people online were quick to praise the artist for his moving tribute to Ukraine, which has been under Russian invasion since February. On Facebook, John Dunstan commented: "Fantastic artist, his work incredible."
Below Banksy's Instagram post, which has attained more than one million likes in ten hours, many people were moved by the artist drawing attention to the conflict to his 11.1 million followers. @kivi.nastya wrote: "Thank you for your support and for drawing public attention to the war in Ukraine, we appreciate it."
@nanacop added: "Thank you for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian people." @_nina_karpenko said: "I don’t believe my eyes! Thank you for showing the world Ukrainian tragedy."
@arron_crascall questioned whether the artist was "nervous in that position". While @gasanova_elvira said it was Banksy's "best work" and "best support".
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