Just mere hours after it was revealed, Banksy's Valentine's Day artwork has now been removed.
Yesterday (February 14), the notorious graffiti artist surprised the world by revealing their latest piece of art in order to honor the victims of domestic abuse.
The mural appeared in Margate, Kent, and depicted a traditional 1950s housewife with a swollen eye and a missing tooth. In the piece – which is seemingly titled Valentine’s Day Mascara – the abused female figure is shown pushing her husband into a freezer, which sits in front of the wall art.
In front of the wall art, you can also clearly see some extra props laying around, including a fridge, a broken white garden chair, a blue crate, and an empty beer bottle.
However, by the end of the day, the piece had been altered thanks to the local council who removed the props around the wall art due to "safety concerns" as per the Independent.
A statement released by authorities stated that they would be returned "once it has been made safe."
"The graffiti is situated on a wall of a privately owned property," the council said. "The fridge freezer, which is believed to have been part of the installation, has been removed by council operatives on the grounds of safety as it was on public land.
"The fridge freezer is now in storage and will be returned once it has been made safe to the public. We will be contacting the owner of the property to discuss the options to preserve the artwork for the district."
But that didn't stop locals in the area from speaking out about their disappointment over the incident.
Taking to Instagram on Valentine's Day, Banksy posted snapshots of the piece before it was removed so that it could be shared with global audiences.
While some commenters missed the point of the piece, stating that Banksy lacks "understanding about the complexities of domestic violence against women," or that he's promoting the "killing of men", most people commended the artist for raising awareness about such a serious issue.
"Thank you Banksy. It's about time that women are no longer seen [as] second hand world citizens," one user stated.
Another added: "Thank you Banksy, coming to Margate & brightening up peoples day again.. shame the council have just moved the freezer, please come paint it in."
"Exceptional piece as always," someone else commented, "Reminding us of what is so obviously everywhere that we don’t see it."
"This is a voice for women who are abused. In Aust one woman dies every week at the hands of a man," said a final commenter.
Others even relayed their own personal experiences.
"My father used to beat my mother regularly. Countless black eyes, bruised ribs, concussions. Not to mention the mental pain. Coping with that as a child leaves traces in the past, the present and the future. Nobody speaks publicly about violence in the family.
"Well done Bansky, I bow," this user concluded.
Others gave their first-hand experiences about the "destruction" of the tribute, slamming the council for their involvement.
"This is my local home town and right now everyone in Thanet is talking about this, because our local council has destroyed it not even 24 hours later!" started this user. "Ironically it was men that turned up to destroy it, employed by the local council, carrying out orders from another male within the sector! Frustratingly our local area is a sh** hole ad our council takes months, if ever, to fix anything!
"As Banksy probably realised during his visit their is litter over flowing public bins, and pot holes big enough to sink the hulks ball bag! Just shows you that our council @officialthanetcouncil is disgusting in the way they operate! We are hugely upset at them destroying a Banksy piece that was highlighting domestic violence within 24 hours of its making, whilst our local taxes are not being used where they should be! Shame on you @officialthanetcouncil."
And this person even had some advice for the artist in the wake of the council's removal of the props.
"Perhaps you can return and paint the freezer, upturned chair, and beer bottle... It is well known that on occasions which are supposed to be special or joyous, they become a hot mess of DV. Christmas time is a big one. Thank you for highlighting the lengths some women must go to in order to save their own lives and the lives of their children."
Let's hope they have a change of heart and the artwork can stand in it's entirety for the world to see.
