Elusive Banksy alters painting with Nazi soldier, spurs controversy
NEW YORK — The secretive British graffiti artist Banksy is at it again.
After buying a painting of a pastoral scene for $50, Banksy donated it back to the thrift shop where he bought it Tuesday — but only after reworking it, adding a Nazi soldier to the scene.
As he does with all his works, Banksy posted the image on his website. He titled it “The banality of the banality of evil.” He also included a photograph that shows the painting in the thrift shop’s front window.
The 23rd Street Housing Works store is auctioning the painting. By Wednesday morning, bidding reached $211,000. The auction ends Thursday.
It’ll benefit Housing Works’ homelessness and AIDS initiatives.
On Sunday, Banksy’s posted an essay that called the design of the World Trade Center a “disaster.”
Banksy’s work has been turning up on New York City streets and all over social media in recent weeks.
