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February 26, 2023 | 7:45 p.m
Banksy reportedly painted the mural in a Kiev town in October, months after the area was hit by Russian airstrikes. Only Photo via Getty Images
A Ukrainian mother and her young daughter apparently spoke to Banksy as he painted a mural in their war-torn country, unaware they were chatting with the world-famous incognito artist.
The mother, Yula Patoku, told the Mirror she watched the notoriously elusive street artist paint the image of a young child in martial arts attire punching a man wearing a black belt.
“I was talking to Banksy without knowing who he was when he was creating this piece of art and when he spoke to my daughter she told him she liked it,” the 42-year-old told the outlet.
“She told Banksy she thinks it’s like a kid saving their father from being attacked by a monster — a bit like Ukraine saving the world from something evil like Russia.”
Banksy created the picture – one of seven murals he reportedly painted in Ukraine – on the wall of a building destroyed by Russian missiles in Borodianka, in the Kiev region. The mysterious British artist is believed to have carried out the work in October, months after the area was bombed.
Patoku said the artwork clearly symbolizes the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the country’s struggle against the invaders.
“The picture is sure of Ukraine beating Russia, but maybe it’s different from a child’s eyes,” she said. “Others see it as young Ukraine beating the evil terrorism of old Russia.”
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Banksy is believed to have created 7 murals in the war-torn country, including these metal and graffiti “hedgehogs.”
Getty Images
Banksy painted his murals on many buildings destroyed by Russian air raids.
AP
Local officials have protected some of the murals.
Getty Images
Local officials have erected a plastic barrier to protect the artwork as its symbolic imagery has become a message of hope for residents.
“I love this work of art. For me it’s youthful and strong, defiant Ukraine fighting the monster Russia and winning – or President Zelensky beating Putin in a fight,” Patoku’s sister Oksana Koronik told Der Spiegel.
The piece is reportedly secured with motion sensors that alert a “rapid response team” if a person gets too close.
“It will be here forever as a reminder of how we stood up to Putin,” Koronik said.
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