New Banksy art unveiled at hospital to thank doctors, nurses
LONDON — A new work by the elusive street artist Banksy, honoring health workers, has been unveiled at a British hospital.
The framed picture, titled “Game Changer,” depicts a boy sitting on the floor playing with a nurse superhero toy. Batman and Spider-man action figures lie in a wastepaper basket next to the boy.
The nurse figure, complete with a cape and a face mask, wears an apron featuring a red cross — the only spot of color in the black-and-white work.
When street artist Ron English acquired the Banksy mural “Slave Labour” for $730,000 at auction in Beverly Hills in November, he had an immediate, albeit vague, thought: Wouldn’t it be interesting to reinvigorate it by doing something strange?
The piece went on display Wednesday in a corridor at Southampton General Hospital in southern England.
The artist left a note for hospital workers, saying: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if [it’s] only black and white.”
Health officials said it was a “massive boost to morale” for everyone at the hospital, which has seen at least two members of staff die after contracting the new coronavirus.
“It will be really valued by everyone in the hospital as people get a moment in their busy lives to pause, reflect and appreciate this piece of art,” said Paula Head, chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
The artwork will be auctioned later to raise money for national health charities, a spokeswoman for Banksy said.
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