Banksy mural aims to ‘open up conversations on domestic abuse’
Published: 03:06 PM,Jun 14,2023 | EDITED : 07:06 PM,Jun 14,2023
2358516
Artwork by mysterious British graffiti artist Banksy set to go on public display in the seaside town of Margate in south-eastern England will hopefully spark conversations among thousands of people on domestic abuse, organisers said.
The street mural titled “Valentine’s Day Mascara” was first discovered on the side of a house in the seaside town, 200 metres down the road from its new home at Dreamland amusement park. The piece was unveiled on Friday ahead of its public opening in the theme park’s Roller Room from June 11. Dreamland boss Eddie Kemsley said: “Dreamland is about fun,entertainment and escapism and having a great time, I don’t think people will talk about that (the theme of the artwork) whilst they are here, but it will give them something to take away with and open up conversations at home.”
The piece that appeared on Valentine’s Day depicts a 1950s housewife with a swollen eye and missing tooth, wearing an apron and yellow washing up gloves, and throwing a man into a freezer.
The real-life freezer used to complement the street mural had been removed twice in the days following the discovery of the artwork in February, leading to the decision to move the piece to an accessible environment.
It was the wish of the homeowner, however, for the artwork to stay local, be on public display for free while also raising money for Kent and Medway domestic abuse charity Oasis.
Chief executive of Oasis Claire Williams said it was “quite humblixng”for Banksy, who uses his artwork as political commentary, to shine alight on domestic abuse and wants to use this unique opportunity to tackle stigma.
“I think it will have a huge impact. It is a difficult subject to talk about and it doesn’t naturally come up,” she said.
“When you are coming in here as a group of young people, or as a family, or individual, and you are looking at it, it does raise the question,” she added. “It truly will spark and create conversations and this is only a positive thing.” Work to move Banksy’s pop-up was collaborated between Dreamland, Red Eight Gallery and Turner Contemporary with a team of engineers and an art conservator.
— PA Media/dpa
The street mural titled “Valentine’s Day Mascara” was first discovered on the side of a house in the seaside town, 200 metres down the road from its new home at Dreamland amusement park. The piece was unveiled on Friday ahead of its public opening in the theme park’s Roller Room from June 11. Dreamland boss Eddie Kemsley said: “Dreamland is about fun,entertainment and escapism and having a great time, I don’t think people will talk about that (the theme of the artwork) whilst they are here, but it will give them something to take away with and open up conversations at home.”
The piece that appeared on Valentine’s Day depicts a 1950s housewife with a swollen eye and missing tooth, wearing an apron and yellow washing up gloves, and throwing a man into a freezer.
The real-life freezer used to complement the street mural had been removed twice in the days following the discovery of the artwork in February, leading to the decision to move the piece to an accessible environment.
It was the wish of the homeowner, however, for the artwork to stay local, be on public display for free while also raising money for Kent and Medway domestic abuse charity Oasis.
Chief executive of Oasis Claire Williams said it was “quite humblixng”for Banksy, who uses his artwork as political commentary, to shine alight on domestic abuse and wants to use this unique opportunity to tackle stigma.
“I think it will have a huge impact. It is a difficult subject to talk about and it doesn’t naturally come up,” she said.
“When you are coming in here as a group of young people, or as a family, or individual, and you are looking at it, it does raise the question,” she added. “It truly will spark and create conversations and this is only a positive thing.” Work to move Banksy’s pop-up was collaborated between Dreamland, Red Eight Gallery and Turner Contemporary with a team of engineers and an art conservator.
— PA Media/dpa