The piece, entitled 'Valentine's Day Mascara', appeared two days before Valentine's Day, on which date it was confirmed to be a Banksy. Commenting on domestic violence and misogyny, it depicts a 1950s housewife with a black eye and chipped tooth, and the legs of her husband, whom she has pushed into a chest freezer.
The piece included an actual chest freezer, placed against the wall on which the work was painted, which has come to be a source of considerable chaos. On Valentine's Day, the freezer was removed by Thanet District Council, but was reinstated on the following day. However, later that same day, it was taken away once again, this time by the Red Eight Gallery, at the request of the person whose property it was discovered on.
Commenting on domestic violence and misogyny, it depicts a 1950s housewife with a black eye and chipped tooth, and the legs of her husband, whom she has pushed into a chest freezer
Three days later, on February 17th, the artwork's eventual home, freezer intact, was revealed to be Dreamland, a popular tourist attraction in Margate. In addition, once a buyer for the piece is found, a six-figure sum will be donated to the Oasis Domestic Abuse Service (also situated in Margate).
In a poll conducted by KentLive, 81% of those surveyed responded YES when asked, "Should Banksy artwork just be left alone?". What do you think?