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Mystery Graffiti in Lviv Sparks Speculation: Did Banksy Leave His Mark Again?
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
On the morning of November 8, a graffiti piece resembling the style of the world-famous English artist Banksy was discovered in Lviv.
The image of the graffiti was shared by an Instagram user under the handle severynkhobzey, who spotted the artwork during a jog in Stryiskyi Park.
“When jogging in the park in the morning, you can spot some new street art. Banksy?” the Lviv resident wondered.
Later, Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, also shared the photo on his Telegram channel. He too speculated that the renowned artist might have been behind the graffiti.
“Lviv. November 8. Morning. Stryiskyi Park. Could this be Banksy? Thanks to the defenders of the sky who keep the umbrella of protection over our children. Our thoughts are with Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and other regions that have had a very tough night,” Kozytskyi wrote.
Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director, whose real identity remains unknown. He is widely recognized for his distinctive stenciled works that often combine dark humor with satirical social and political commentary. Banksy's art typically addresses themes such as anti-authoritarianism, war, poverty, and inequality. His works have appeared in public spaces around the world, often in unexpected or unconventional locations.
On November 14, 2022, Banksy confirmed his involvement in creating seven striking murals across Ukraine, with works appearing in the war-torn areas of Kyiv, Irpin, Borodyanka, and Hostomel. Before the official confirmation, there was a wave of speculation online, with many questioning whether the murals were indeed the work of the elusive artist.
This uncertainty was typical of Banksy's method — leaving his art to speak for itself, while shrouding his identity in mystery. The announcement came amidst the backdrop of devastation caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where cities were reduced to rubble, and communities shattered.
Banksy's Ukrainian murals were more than just artistic expressions; they were powerful statements of solidarity and resilience in the face of war. The artist’s choice of bombed-out locations, such as Borodyanka and Irpin, lent an undeniable poignancy to his works. Drawing on his signature themes of irony, innocence, and provocation, these murals adapted Banksy’s familiar style to reflect the harsh realities of the war. With each piece, Banksy not only challenged the devastation around him but also became a symbol of hope and defiance for the people of Ukraine, reminding the world that even in the darkest times, art can be a powerful form of resistance.
Earlier, the press office of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra revealed that Banksy's graffiti, featuring a woman in a gas mask and created in Hostomel following the liberation of the Kyiv region in 2022, will be preserved within the grounds of the national reserve.
