Restorers have removed a crumbling mural by street artist Banksy called “Migrant Child” from the side of a building overlooking a Venice canal to preserve the work for future public display, officials said.
The removal of the painting from the Palazzo San Pantalon was carried out in consultation with people close to the secretive British street artist, according to the arts programme at the Venetian bank Banca Ifis, which promotes arts and culture.
The work, depicting a shipwrecked child holding a pink smoke bomb and wearing a life jacket, appeared on the San Pantalone promenade in Venice in May 2019 and was praised by Banksy. Marked on online maps, it has become a popular tourist destination.
However, six years of neglect have left about a third of the works in poor condition, the bank said.
The restoration is being led by Federico Borgogni, who previously removed dust and cleaned the surface before detaching part of the palazzo's façade on Wednesday night, Banca Ifis reported.
The bank is financing the project, but has not disclosed the cost of the operation.
The bank intends to exhibit the work to the public as part of free cultural events organized by Ifis Art after the restoration is completed. The timing has not yet been specified.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
