Over the years, Banksy has become a name synonymous with street art, and has used their platform to make bold statements on various social and political issues. However, Banksy’s latest work, which was discovered in Margate, Kent, has been removed within hours of the elusive artist claiming it as their own.
The artwork, titled “Valentine’s Day Mascara,” depicted a 1950s housewife shoving her male partner into a chest freezer, with a missing tooth and a swollen eye. Banksy shared a series of photos of the piece on their Instagram account on Tuesday, confirming that they were behind the artwork.
The piece appeared to have a theme of domestic abuse, and speculation about the post suggested that the Bristol-born artist was referencing fighting violence against women on Valentine’s Day.
The resident of the property where the painting was created revealed that the freezer and other items used for the artwork had been removed very quickly and put into a truck at midday on Tuesday. The tenant was upset about the removal, saying that it was part of the art, and that it could bring positive attention to Margate.
The tenant also claimed that she had asked the people who removed the items why they were doing so, and they replied that “someone told them on the council, they are just doing the task, it’s not their idea but they must do it.”
The artwork’s removal has sparked discussions on the legitimacy of street art and the way it is treated by the authorities. However, Banksy is no stranger to controversy, and the removal of the artwork may have simply added to the mystique surrounding the artist.
At the time of writing, Thanet District Council has not commented on the matter. Despite the artwork’s removal, Banksy’s latest work has still managed to spark conversation about the issue of domestic abuse, proving that the power of art can transcend the physical presence of the artwork itself.