Our true superheroes: Banksy paints beautiful tribute to frontline medical staff

Amidst a pandemic filled with unease and uncertainty, Banksy paints a moving reminder of how heroic our hospital staff truly is

A new Banksy artwork has surfaced at Southampton General Hospital, and it is a beautiful tribute to frontline medical staff.

This is the mysterious artist’s first public artwork in months.

The Bristol native had been keeping to himself during lockdown, but keeping busy nonetheless. He recently redecorated his bathroom, creating quite a rodent racket at home.

Like most of his work, Banksy’s new piece is largely monochrome with a careful pop of colour.

It shows a young boy in dungarees, playing with a nurse superhero action figure while his Spiderman and Batman toys lay in the bin.

The pictured nurse is wearing a face mask and uniform, and her arm is outstretched with a fluttering cape behind her like superman.

Banksy left a note with the painting, saying: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.”

The only colour in the painting is the nurse’s stark, red cross on her uniform — a touching tribute to all the frontline medical staff that have been working around the clock to keep us safe.

The piece will remain on display until autumn, after which it will go to auction to raise money for the NHS.

A poignant reminder of how perspectives have shifted during the current Covid-19 pandemic, the painting shows that the true heroes aren’t those made up in movies or comic books.

The real superheroes are our neighbours, friends and family that continue to put themselves at risk to help the world when it needs it most.

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