When Misery Can Create Artistic Value

In a astonishing turnaround of migrant suffering through Mediterranean, British artist Banksy's artwork has raised a substantial amount for the betterment of children in Palestine  

Banksy's original work has been auctioned and sold for $2.9 million the proceeds of which go to a Palestinian children's hospital 

The world's most war devastated nations have become an inspiration to someone art- and that has fetched $2.9 million in a Sotheby's auction in London recently. A three-paneled work of the British street artist Banksy depicts the plights of migrants. His work has been inspired over the last few years by the increasing incidents of violence at the Mediterranean Sea. He has also done work to bring out the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

The current work “Mediterranean Sea View 2017,” was initially expected to fetch £1.2 million but went for a better amount, the proceeds of which will be donated to a children’s hospital in the West Bank, the Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation.

The piece of art is a 'corruption' done by the artist himself- he brings forth the pain and suffering of the common man, who is looking for safe haven amidst war torn conditions in Middle East and Africa. 

“In ‘Mediterranean Sea View 2017,’ Banksy bring forth reality as it is- depicting life jackets, oars and other detritus on the shore from abandoned refugee boats. He uses his own witty reworkings of the three oil paintings to create something that, while posing as a 19th-century seascape, spotlights one of the burning issues of the 21st century,” said Alex Branczik, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art for Europe.

Indeed, Banksy's work has been able to create value out of misery of human suffering.

  
The world's poorest countries are becoming poorer. The corona virus led pandemic has pushed many economies behind by decades. The destruction in Yemen, Syria, Libya or for that matter Palestine is mostly man made. The deep desire for control over rich natural resources has lured foreign players to participate in the long drawn internal strives. 

Amidst all this mayhem, human life has become trivial. Survival has become impossible and many people, in the dead of the night try to flee their native lands through the Mediterranean Sea hoping for a better future. Most are not able to make it to the other part of the world. Many die on sea due to lack of navigation. Some are captured and tortured by the middle man who would like to take advantage of their vulnerability. Others who make it do not get permission to seek asylum or refugee status and are sent back.  

Russia, Turkey, Iran and the US are just a few who have tried to take advantage of these Middle Eastern nations torn by war. As a result, civilian life has been thrown disarray. Women and children have been left to fend for themselves. More than 3 million civilians are without food, water and shelter in all these countries. Medical facilities are meager and therefore Covid-19 handling has been the biggest challenge.