The Return of 'Migrant Child' in Venice

In Venice, 2019, a girl in a life vest holding a pink flare appeared on the side of a lavish 3-story building, Palazzo San Pantalon. Soon after, the sprayed mural was confirmed by Banksy in an Instagram post on 24th May 2019.

Situated at the waterline of the canal, inevitable damage occurred, so Italy’s Ministry of Culture announced in 2023 that Banca Ifis would fund the restoration of the work. The following year, the bank acquired Palazzo San Pantalon and appointed Zaha Hadid Architects to lead the building’s restoration.

This reignites the debate over whether it should be preserved or left to deteriorate in situ.

Whichever way you feel towards the debate, on Friday, May 8th, and Saturday, May 9th, the work travelled by boat along the city's canals to allow people to see it. Once the restoration of Palazzo San Pantalon is completed, it will return to its original location.