WEST BANK: Art exhibition to promote tourism in Bethlehem features works by graffiti artist Banksy

Record ID: 561483

  • Title: WEST BANK: Art exhibition to promote tourism in Bethlehem features works by graffiti artist Banksy
  • Date: 4th December 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) FATHER TOM WALKER, VISITOR IN HOLY LAND FROM MINNESOTA USA, SAYING: " I really liked the artist's work, I like particularly the donkey whose passport is being checked by the Israeli soldier, I've personally walked through the checkpoint many times and been subjected to humiliation there."
  • Embargoed: 19th December 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA2YV6ERUH4VADLJB8EE19AKX2O
  • Story Text: British guerrilla artist Banksy is trying to bring some cheer and boost tourism in Bethlehem this Christmas with a series of subversive murals in the town where Christians believe Jesus was born.
    The elusive street artist has painted six provocative new images -- including a dove of peace strapped with a bullet-proof vest and a young girl with pigtails frisking an Israeli soldier -- on buildings around the West Bank town.
    Banksy, who has achieved cult status for his edgy satirical images, has also converted a fast food shop opposite Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity into an art gallery showing work by artists from the Palestinian territories and abroad.
    The artist's images have fetched hundreds of thousands of dollars in auctions and his customers include Hollywood star Angelina Jolie. But Banksy keeps his real identity secret and almost never gives interviews.
    Bethlehem residents say military checkpoints and Israel's West Bank barrier, which cuts into land Palestinians want for a state, is stifling tourism and damaging Bethlehem's economy.
    Father Tom Walker, a Catholic priest from Minnesota, USA who has been in the Holy Land for three months, thought the donkey being check by an Israeli soldier mural made a good political point.

    " I really liked the artist's work," said Father Tom Walker.
    "I like particularly the donkey whose passport is being checked by the Israeli soldier, I've personally walked through the checkpoint many times and been subjected to humiliation there."
    Banksy made headlines in 2005 by painting a series of playful images on the Palestinian side of the barrier, which Israel says it needs to keep out suicide bombers.
    The new images are more eye catching. Pilgrims arriving in Bethlehem for Christmas will see a huge mural of a dove on the side of a house riddled with bullet holes. The dove faces an Israeli military watchtower and is wearing a bullet-proof vest.
    Around the corner, one of Banksy's trademark stencilled rats is pictured poised with a catapult aimed at another watchtower while at the exhibition, he is showing a sculpture of a Christmas cherub with a rock piercing its stomach and blood frothing from the wound.
    Other artists exhibiting in Bethlehem said they hoped the show would draw attention to life in the occupied West Bank and help forge links between local and international artists.

    "It's not all about irony, subtlety of art and irony and cleverness now. Young artists actually want to say something about the world, and hopefully, having this in Bethlehem will encourage that feeling that you can go out as an artist and relate your work to different people ,"
    British artist Peter Kennard told Reuters.
    All pieces at the exhibition will be sold to the highest bidder and the proceeds donated to local charities.
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