Banksy’s latest COVID-19 artwork removed from the London Underground

Hours after street artist Banksy posted an Instagram video of him tagging a London Underground train with his latest artwork urging people to wear masks, Transport for London confirmed that it had been removed.

The work was removed “some days ago” because it was in violation of TfL’s “strict anti-graffiti policy,” a spokesperson for the transportation agency said in a statement.

Even though it was erased, the spokesperson said that TfL appreciated “the sentiment of encouraging people to wear face coverings” and that it would like to “offer Banksy the chance to do a new version of his message for our customers in a suitable location.

“Earlier on Tuesday, the reclusive artist uploaded a video of himself dressed as a cleaner spraying graffiti on the London Underground.

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. . If you don’t mask – you don’t get.

Una publicación compartida de Banksy (@banksy) el 14 Jul, 2020 a las 6:30 PDT

The caption in the post reads, “If you don’t mask – you don’t get.”In the clip, Banksy paints rats — one sneezing, another using a mask as a parachute and yet another holding a bottle of sanitizer — before tagging the train with his moniker.

The video ends with music from the 1997 hit “Tubthumping” by British rock band Chumbawamba. The opening lyrics — “I get knocked down, but I get up again” — play as the Tube doors close.

Banksy spray-painted, “I get lockdown, but I get up again” in the station and inside the train’s doors.

This wasn’t the first time the British artist had posted about coronavirus.

In April, Banksy posted a photo of his work-from-home life, with drawings of rats scampering around his bathroom.

In May, Banksy unveiled an artwork titled “Game Changer,” featuring a child playing with a nurse doll wearing a mask and cape, to honor health care workers.

Source: CNN

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