The artwork titled “Borodyanka, Tsentralna 253” was created by the artist known as Banksy in 2022. Using spray paint and stencil techniques, Banksy crafted this piece as part of the “Ukraine 2022” series, contributing to the street art movement. The medium employed for the piece is graffiti, which is characteristic of Banksy’s well-known style.
Upon observing the image, we see a monochrome stenciled artwork on a backdrop of a damaged concrete wall, which is part of a larger pile of rubble. The artwork depicts a gymnast performing a handstand, supported by a small piece of protruding rebar. The figure appears to be perfectly balanced on this narrow and unstable “platform.” The juxtaposition of the graceful athleticism of the gymnast against the harsh, war-torn structure powerfully contrasts human resilience and the fragile nature of civilization amidst conflict and destruction. This piece carries the hallmarks of Banksy’s work, where the playfulness of the visual often carries a deeper, more poignant message about society, conflict, or politics.
