A new piece from anonymous street artist Banksy has appeared at a UK hospital amid the COVID-19 pandemic but this time with an uncharacteristic personal note from the normally quiet creator.
The monochrome painting appears to be a homage to the frontline healthcare workers who are leading the country's battle against coronavirus.
The piece depicts a young boy playing with an action figure of a nurse wearing superhero cape, while his Batman and Spider-Man figurines lay off to the side.
The nurse doll is wearing a facemask and an apron with the Red Cross emblem, her arm aloft in the style of Superman flying through the air.
"Thanks for all you're doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it's only black and white," Banksy wrote in a note accompanying the piece.
The artwork was hung in collaboration with Southampton Hospital's managers, a far cry from Bansky's notorious beginnings in which he would frequently graffiti public places.
Banksy also posted several images of the work on his Instagram page with the caption "game changer", where it was extremely well-received by his followers.
"A million thanks all bundled in a single image," one user wrote.
"Hits hard," said another.
According to BBC News, the CEO of the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation trust said the piece would be "really valued by everyone in the hospital".
"The fact that Banksy has chosen us to recognise the outstanding contribution everyone in and with the NHS is making, in unprecedented times, is a huge honour," said Paula Head.
