Banksy, the elusive and sought-after world-renowned street artist, has made his presence known in Ukraine. A mural, attributed to the artist (impossible to verify), has appeared in the city of Borodyankain the kyiv area.
In the graffiti – painted on a white wall in the middle of the ruins – an unequal judo combat between a child and an adult is portrayed. Paradoxically, it is the boy who knocks the man down thanks to a relentless key that makes him fall with a crash on his back.
The image symbolizes the strength of the small David against the giant Goliathin an allegory of the strength of the Ukrainian people against the Russian invader, an imitation of the fight between the Israelites and the Philistines told in the Bible.
“We are stronger than David, they are weaker than Goliath. Possibly Banksy”the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on its Twitter account.
The choice of a sport like judo does not seem casual. The Russian President, Vladimir Putin‘black belt and eighth dan’ in this discipline of martial arts, has not missed the opportunity to publicly display himself on the tatami to show off his skills as a judoka.
two other works
Two other works, with Banksy’s ‘stamp’ have appeared in the city. Its authorship is also not verifiable. One of them shows a girl balancing, while the other shapes aa gymnast throwing a ribbon into the air.
The town of Borodyanka has been particularly hard hit by Russian fire, mainly during the early stages of the war.
