On Sunday, a mural by Banksy depicting a builder removing a star from the flag of the European Union appeared in Dover, southeast England.
Banksy’s representatives confirmed that the work is by the enigmatic street artist, who also posted a couple of images of the work on his Instagram account.
This mural is Banksy’s first artwork addressing the exit of the UK from the European Union since the Brexit vote took place in June last year. The star being chipped away from the flag is clearly meant to symbolize UK’s departure from the Union, slated to happen officially by April 2019.
The location of the work is highly significant. The mural appeared overnight at the Castle Amusements building, near the ferry terminal that connects the UK with continental Europe, The Guardian reports.
What’s more, Dover is located across the Channel from Calais, former site of a vast refugee camp, where Bansky has created a number of works in late 2015. These include one depicting Apple founder Steve Jobs, son of a Syrian migrant, and another one based on Théodore Géricault’s iconic 19th-century painting Raft of the Medusa, but depicting refugees waving towards a luxury yacht instead.
The timing is also relevant. The UK is gearing towards a snap general election on June 8, called by the Prime Minister Theresa May, who’s seeking a stronger mandate to deliver Brexit as she’s facing opposition in Parliament.
Meanwhile, in France, the pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron won a landslide victory over the Euro-skeptic Marine Le Pen in the general election held yesterday. Le Pen had vowed to hold a referendum on France leaving the EU should she win.