A brand new work has been unveiled by Banksy, which he announced earlier today (16th December 2024) on his Instagram account.
The work depicts a mother and child, referencing iconic depictions of Madonna and Jesus. Due to the placement of a hole in the metal which has a dribble of rust, it appears as though the mother has been shot in the chest. This is emphasised by the distressed look depicted on the child's face.
Madonnas are a recurring motif in Banksy’s work, a subject he revisits with pointed precision. While they traditionally embody purity and divine motherhood, Banksy has often used them to highlight the suffering endured by mothers and children during times of conflict.
Many commenters on Banksy's Instagram post drew links between the apparent suffering of the mother and the current Israel-Hamas war.
The post is the first to appear on the artist’s Instagram account since August this year, when he completed his series of nine animal works that popped up throughout London.
