THE The “Migrant Child” created by Banksy in Venice is already under threat from salt and high tide which dissolve its colors, but there are now also fears of vandalism in view of its controversial restoration., financed by Banca Ifis. The works are now “under protection”, monitored 24 hours a day by private guards.
The operation restoration sparks a lot of controversy: welcomed with enthusiasm by the institutionshe collected critiques of the world of street artistswho argue that works hung on walls, whether by Banksy or other artists, should be left in their place, subjecting them to the natural alteration of time, otherwise they are distorted.
The approach the curator prevailed and the child with a life jacket and a signal lamp in his hand – painted near the Campo di San Pantalon, on the water surface on the night of May 8-9, 2019 – will be restored and is now also under close surveillance.
Concerning the progressive deterioration of the “Migrant Child”, Sgarbi – as undersecretary for Culture – had explained that the report had come to him directly from the mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, and the president of the Region, Luca Zaia. “The superintendent – Sgarbi emphasized at the time – he couldn't act. I immediately mobilized and obtained the availability of the Ifis banking foundation which will cover the costs of restoring the work and the facade of the building. We do not want to obtain permission for the restoration, because, among other things, the mural was painted illegally.“.
