On July 4th, renowned artist Banksy responded to criticism from James Cleverly regarding his Glastonbury stunt. The stunt involved an inflatable boat filled with dummies wearing orange life jackets, symbolizing refugees. During a performance by Idles at the music event, the boat was passed out to the crowd. Cleverly condemned the stunt as 'vile and unacceptable' and accused Banksy of making light of the loss of life in the Channel [50bcbf83].
In response, Banksy took to Instagram to address Cleverly's comments. He revealed that the real boat he funded, named the MV Louise Michel, had rescued 17 unaccompanied children from the central Mediterranean. However, the boat has been detained by Italian authorities. Banksy emphasized that the MV Louise Michel plays a crucial role in providing life-saving support to those crossing the Mediterranean and was purchased with the proceeds from the sale of his artwork [50bcbf83].
This incident adds to Banksy's history of using his art to make powerful statements. In March, he made headlines with his first art installment of 2024. He has also previously unveiled street artwork addressing the issue of domestic violence against women. Banksy's Glastonbury stunt aimed to draw attention to the plight of refugees and the dangers they face while crossing the Channel. The controversy surrounding the stunt highlights the ongoing debate about the role of art in addressing social and political issues [50bcbf83].