The image of a migrant child signalling for help has appeared on a crumbling wall in Venice, site of the famed Biennale art exhibition, apparently the latest work by Banksy. The mysterious British artist was not invited to this year’s Venice Biennale. 

Meanwhile Banksy’s website shows what appears to be the artist, buried in hat, coat or newspaper, setting up an unlicensed art stall in the central Saint Mark’s Square.

He sets up a series of nine oil paintings in the style of the 18th-century Venetian great Canaletto, which when placed together depict a huge cruise ship surrounded by tiny gondolas, plying their way through the Venice canals. The piece, called “Venice in Oil”, seemed to denounce the mass tourism which is endangering much of Venice – AFP

The text under his video said: “Setting up my stall at the Venice Biennale. Despite being the largest and most prestigious art event in the world, for some reason, I’ve never been invited.”

Here’s his video.

Banksy’s website, here.