A mural on Friday near Marble Arch in central London, where protesters against climate change camped for five days, was awarded by experts to the famous British artist Banksy.
"Despair ends"
The work shows a crouched child near a small green plant and a shovel, holding a hourglass in a circle to signify that time is running out to save the planet. It is the symbol of the "Extinction Rebellion" movement, the cause of the mobilization for "a state of ecological emergency" that has blocked some of London's iconic landmarks for eleven days. "From now on, despair ends and tactics begin," he writes in big white letters next to the child wearing a headscarf.
© ISABEL INFANTES / AFP
The painting echoes the mobilization of several thousand demonstrators who peacefully disturbed the British capital for eleven days by blocking bridges and arteries, climbing the rooftops of the subways or sticking with glue to buildings. In total, the police have carried out nearly 1,130 arrests and 69 people are expected to appear soon including for obstruction of public road and resistance to action by the police.
A work by Banksy?
Experts quoted in the British newspaper Evening Standard claim that Banksy did the work. "I think for sure it's him," said auctioneer Andrew Tetley. "I'm sure it's him," said art dealer John Brandler, who acquired a work by the artist on a wall in the industrial town of Port Talbot, Wales.
Banksy's identity has been a well-guarded mystery since its beginnings in the 1990s. We know her (British) nationality, her hometown (Bristol), her Instagram page with 5.7 million subscribers and her website where he puts his works online, without further comment. In October, to play the recovery of his art for commercial purposes, he programmed the self-destruction of his famous painting "Girl with balloon" which had just been auctioned for more than a million euros at auction at London.