A new festive mural which is believed to be the work of Banksy has appeared in Birmingham.
The reindeer-themed mural, which draws attention to homelessness, made its debut in the city over the weekend, with anyone who sits on the bench next to it appearing to look like Father Christmas.
So just where in the city is it – and what does it depict?
Here’s what you need to know about Banksy’s latest artwork…
Where is Banksy’s newest artwork located?
The mural has been painted on a brick wall in Vyse Street, in the city’s Jewellery quarter.
Luke Crane from the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District told BBC News that they were keen to protect the artwork.
“We are very keen to make sure it is a part of our community and not something that is taken away,” he said.
“I think it comes at a great time of year – we obviously didn’t know it was coming, but what a great time.
What does the artwork depict?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B52l1NkHa71/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again
The artwork appears to make a park bench look as though it’s being pulled by Santa’s sleigh, with two reindeer painted on the wall next to the bench.
A video on Banksy’s Instagram page shows a homeless man called Ryan having a drink before lying down on the bench as the camera pans out – making it look as though he is being spirited away by the reindeer.
He highlighted the kindness of locals as he wrote: ‘In the 20 minutes we filmed Ryan on this bench passers-by gave him a hot drink, two chocolate bars and a lighter – without him ever asking for anything,’ adding: ‘God bless Birmingham.’
The post has been liked over two and a half million times since it debuted on Instagram yesterday, with passers-by queueing up to pose on the bench.
However the artwork has also been the object of vandalism – with someone having painted red noses on to the reindeer.
The new artwork comes after a Banksy painting portraying Parliament overrun with chimps sold for a record price.
That work, Devoted Parliament, fetched £9,879,500 at Sotheby’s in October.
MORE: Mystery as Banksy’s Brexit painting is suddenly ‘hidden’ from view
source https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/10/banksys-newest-artwork-11597562/
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