Banksy revealed his latest work on social media: a Madonna and Child trying to breastfeed her very scared son, but rust comes out of her breasts. According to many, it is a reference to the humanitarian plight of Palestinian children
@banksy/Instagram
Banksy is back to being talked about with a new work published on his official Instagram account. It’s one Madonna with Childan intense image with a strong emotional impact. As usual, the English artist does not provided details about the location where the mural was created, nor did he add explanations on the meaning of the work.
However, the image immediately sparked a heated debate online, with many users suggesting that the work is a commentary on situation in the Gaza Strip. The scene represents a Madonna with a tired and melancholy face, who tries to breastfeed a child.
The little one appears scared and distressedunable to feed itself, while it comes out of the mother’s breast rustsymbol of something damaged or corrupt. The mural seems to be part of a larger work, as suggested by the visible edges of the structure on which it was created, which suggest the presence of other details.
Many have nicknamed her “Mother of Gaza”
Within minutes, the post generated thousands of comments. Many have interpreted the work as a reference to the humanitarian drama that involves Palestinian childrena theme that Banksy has addressed in the past with other works. Some users have renamed this Madonna as the “Mother of Gaza”, underlining the possible reference to the suffering of a land tormented by conflict and deprivation.
The message of the work seems to be connected to the social and political denunciation that characterizes Banksy’s work. The image of the Madonna, which recalls Renaissance paintings but is reinterpreted with modern elements, reflects a world in which even nourishment and maternal care are put in crisis. The rust coming out of the breast can be read as a symbol of a planet or a society unable to care for her childrenfurther aggravating the sense of abandonment and desolation.
It is not the first time that Banksy has used religious images to convey protest messages. An example is his Madonna with gunvisible in Naples, which transforms a sacred symbol into an instrument of social criticism. While waiting for further clarifications from the artist, the new work continues to cause discussion.
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