At the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, visitors can view the famous graffiti by British artist Banksy, which is once again displayed at the Great Lavra Bell Tower after being exhibited in Lviv.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Unique Exhibition: Contemporary Art and History
A fragment of the wall featuring Banksy’s work, depicting a woman in a bathrobe with a fire extinguisher, has returned to the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.” The updated exhibition is housed in the Great Lavra Bell Tower. Alongside contemporary street art, visitors can see ancient Rus graffiti from the 11th century, created by the builder of the Assumption Cathedral. This brick, which lay for nearly a thousand years, was discovered during the dismantling of the cathedral’s ruins in the 1950s and is considered a unique testament to street art from the past millennium. The combination of these two exhibits creates a bridge between modern protest art and the creative expressions of Kyiv masters from the 11th century.
Challenges on the Path to Preservation
Previously, since February, Banksy’s work was temporarily exhibited at the Lviv gallery “ZAG” under armored glass and was accessible for viewing from the street. Upon returning to Kyiv, the graffiti found a new home in the historical center of the capital.
“From November 19, the fragment of the wall featuring the work of British street artist Banksy, depicting a woman in a bathrobe with a fire extinguisher, can again be viewed at the National Reserve ‘Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra,'” the announcement states.
It is worth noting that in December 2022, there was an attempt to illegally dismantle and steal this work in Hostomel. Thanks to prompt actions, the fragment of the wall was saved, preserved, and transferred to the reserve’s collections. Now art enthusiasts have the opportunity to see this work alongside unique artifacts from a millennium ago.
