"Girl With Balloon" is one of Banksy's most recognizable and most talked about stencils. The artist recently adapted the original artwork in support of the #WithSyria campaign. The girl in the artwork is seen wearing a headscarf and the hashtag is stenciled below her feet.
As ANIMAL points out, the artist's "well-intentioned move" is not without criticism. Some have taken issue with the imagery, stating that "even in conservative Muslim families, girls at the age of Banksy’s painting (4 or 5 years old) are not veiled." Banksy has also been criticized for going more "mainstream" with his messages as he has become more famous, though it's worth pointing out that this is not his first comment on the conflict in Syria. During his "Better Out Than In" residency in New York, he posted a video on his website of rebel terrorists abusing the beloved cartoon elephant, Dumbo.
More mainstream or not, Banksy's piece is bringing a lot of attention to the issues, so who are we to hate?
UPDATE MARCH 11, 2014 5:34PM:Banksy's website also contains the following message, which is hyperlinked to the official #WithSyria website.
