Restorers have removed deteriorating graffiti by street artist Banksy, known as “Migrant Child,” from the side of a building overlooking a Venice canal to preserve the work for a future public exhibition, officials said.
Representatives of the arts programme at the Venetian bank Banca Ifis, which supports arts and culture, said the removal was done in consultation with people connected to the mysterious British street artist.
This piece, depicting a child survivor of the crash holding a pink smoke bomb and wearing a life jacket, appeared on the San Pantalone promenade in Venice in May 2019 and was made famous by Banksy. It has become a popular tourist destination, marked on online maps.
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 plans to display 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
