Bristol, Banksy’s home city in southwest England, has recently been adorned with new and captivating street art pieces, one of which seems to depict the enigmatic artist himself.
Italian street artist TVBoy, also known as Salvatore Benintende, painted a police officer handcuffing an individual wearing a hoodie with Banksy’s renowned signature.
“People have compared me to Banksy, calling me the Italian Banksy or the Spanish Banksy,” said TVBoy, who resides in Barcelona. “So, I decided it was time for the student to engage in a dialogue or something of that sort with the master.”
He shared a video of the artwork on Instagram, accompanying it with Sia’s “Unstoppable.” Watch it here:
TVBoy’s other creations in Bristol also incorporate a whimsical touch of royalty.
These include portrayals of Kate, the Princess of Wales, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
“The constant saga about the Royal Family in the news motivated me to connect with the local people,” TVBoy told the BBC.
TVBoy also created this commentary on racism:
Inspired by Banksy’s early-2000s self-installation of his art in museums, such as London’s Natural History Museum, TVBoy recorded himself replicating the same act at Banksy’s exhibition.
“I still have much to learn from him!” exclaimed TVBoy.