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Banksy surprises Bristol school children with mural

Felix Schlagwein / kbmJune 8, 2016

A British school named a building after secretive street artist Banksy - and he returned the favor with a clandestinely painted work of art.

https://p.dw.com/p/1J2KQ
Children at Bridge FarmSchool in Bristol view Banksy's mural, Copyright: picture-alliance/dpa/N.Munns
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/N.Munns

It might look like a child's drawing - but it's very valuable art depicting a girl playing with a burning car tire. Enigmatic graffiti artist Banksy created the work in a schoolyard at the Bridge Farm School in Bristol, England. It was his way of thanking the school for naming a wing of its building after him.

Banksy's true identity is unknown, but it's presumed that he comes from Bristol. The artist is known for spraying socially critical motifs on public walls all over the world. His large-scale murals can be found across Europe, in Australia, Israel, Cuba, Japan, Mexico and the U.S.

In addition to street art, Banksy is also active in other areas. He published photos of his graffiti and paintings in numerous books including accompanying texts written by the artist himself.

This Banksy work depicting Apple founder Steve Jobs can be seen at the Calais refugee camp in France, Copyright: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Spingler
This Banksy work depicting Apple founder Steve Jobs can be seen at the Calais refugee camp in FranceImage: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Spingler

Banksy has also had success as a filmmaker. His documentary "Exit through the Gift Shop" about French artist Thierry Guetta and Invader was nominated for an Oscar in 2011.

In 2015, Banksy criticized Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip in his short video, "Welcome to Gaza," which depicted the extent of the damage.

Due to his strong political voice, "Time Magazine" named Banksy one of the 25 most influential artists in the world in 2010.

At an exhibition in Munich in April 2016, his works went on display for the first time in Germany.