Banksy – Walled Off Hotel Wall Section “Gaza Kitty – I Want My Ball Back” (2018)

Description

The sculpture titled “Gaza Kitty … I want my ball back”, purchased from The Walled Off Hotel, is a powerful piece that takes inspiration from the artist’s mural in Gaza. Banksy originally painted the mural in 2015 during his visit to the area, where he had to access Gaza through a series of underground tunnels. The mural portrays a kitten playing with a ball made of rusted metal, with the intention of bringing attention to the destruction in Gaza. Additionally, Banksy aimed to highlight the tendency of people on the Internet to overlook significant issues in favour of cute animal pictures.

In true Banksy style, the assertive message “I want my ball back” symbolises coexistence and understanding that transcends boundaries. The sculpture serves as a reminder of the significance of compassion and empathy towards our neighbours and represents the hope for peace and reconciliation.

Banksy in Gaza. Image copyright Banksy