(ANSA) - ROME, MARCH 08 - British street artist Banksyp aims to raise over three million pounds for the British health system (NHS) by auctioning one of his paintings as a "universal tribute" to the staff of the hospitals in the country engaged in the struggle to the coronaviurs.
According to reports from the BBC, the painting - called 'GameChanger' - had appeared in the Southampton General Hospital during the first wave of the pandemic and Banksy has decided to sell the original canvas to the best bidder, while a reproduction of the work will remain in the hospital.
The painting, which was valued at 2.5-3.5 million by Christie's auction house, shows a child playing with superhero puppets but prefers a nurse with a mask to Batman and Spiderman, which he leaves in a basket. .
The image, measuring one meter by one meter, is located in an area near the hospital emergency room and will be exhibited at the Christie's auction house in London from 8 to 15 March to be sold on 23 March.
The painting "offers an image of hope", commented Katharine Arnold of Christie's: "Game Changer is a universal tribute to all those who fight in the front lines around the world against this crisis."
(HANDLE).