Banksy Is Selling Screen Prints He Personally Sliced To Help People Of Ukraine
Image via Legacy of War Foundation
After leaving his mark in Ukraine with a series of murals, it seems Banksy’s work with the war-torn nation isn’t done yet.
The anonymous street artist has created 50 art screen prints to help fund efforts by the Legacy of War Foundation, an international charity that steps in during times of turmoil to assist civilians affected by conflict.
According to the nonprofit, Banksy himself is assuming all the costs for the project, enabling all proceeds to be devoted into evacuating vulnerable Ukrainians, providing power sources to communities whose electricity has been blown out, and lending support to marginalized individuals.
The unique prints, priced at £5,000 (US$6,140) plus applicable taxes, each feature a rat sliding down a cardboard box marked “fragile.” The surface is scratched off by the critter’s claws, putting its contents even further at risk.
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The screen prints have a 3D effect, as Banksy has sliced each of them by hand to create the scuffs. Legacy of War stresses that the production process involves the artist “attacking every print with a sharpened pizza cutter,” making all the pieces one-of-a-kind. Each print is mounted in a wood frame, signed by the artist, and numbered in a count of 50.
Banksy was inspired to make the charity artworks after personally encountering Legacy of War’s kindness and hospitality in Ukraine.
“I saw a Legacy of War team sweep in and provide medical attention, heaters, fresh water and a friendly face to some very desperate people in a bombed out building,” the mysterious artist remembers.
“They also lent me one of their ambulances to work from, which turned out to be extremely useful when an angry babushka found me painting on her building and called the police.”
Giles Duley, CEO of the foundation, says the funds raised from the screen prints will immediately be used to purchase new ambulances and support vehicles to transport people with disabilities, the elderly, and civilian casualties out of disaster-struck zones.
In addition, the proceeds will be spent on “generators, gas heaters and solar-powered lights” to help Ukrainians cope with the harsh cold season when the electricity is out.
“And we will be able to continue our support for shelters in Kyiv for women and the LGBTQ community,” Duley adds.
The prints are limited to one per buyer. Customers will first need to prove they are human by filling out a form, with submissions closing on Friday, December 16, at 12 pm GMT (4 am PT / 7 am ET). A computerized system will then choose which 50 fans will acquire the artworks.
[via Banksy and Legacy of War Foundation, images via various sources]
