Artist Banksy has confirmed that a small boat crossing artwork at Glastonbury belongs to him.
A small boat filled with migrant dummies in orange life jackets was hoisted into the crowd gathered to watch the band Idles play on the Other Stage at Worthy Farm on Friday night.
On Sunday, Banksy posted a video of the boat sailing through the crowd during the band’s set to his Instagram page.
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The boat appeared while the Bristol rock band were performing Danny Nedelko, a 2018 release which begins with the lyrics: “My blood brother is an immigrant, a beautiful immigrant.”
According to The Guardian, the band said the demonstration was devised by Bristol artist Banksy and they were not aware it had happened until after the set had finished.
Britain’s Home Secretary James Cleverly and Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden hit out at the stunt on X, formerly Twitter.
Small boats crossings are deadly and have cost the lives of too many people.
Festival goers cosplaying as migrants, and celebrating the actions of people smugglers, while they party is awful.
Whatever your political views, this isn’t something we should trivialise. https://t.co/t54igK4b02
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) June 30, 2024
Mr Cleverly wrote: “Small boats crossings are deadly and have cost the lives of too many people.
“Festival-goers cosplaying as migrants, and celebrating the actions of people smugglers, while they party is awful.
“Whatever your political views, this isn’t something we should trivialise.”
The Glastonbury Live account also posted an image on Saturday of the artwork returning for Little Simz’ Pyramid Stage slot.
Representatives of Banksy have been contacted for comment.
Source: Press Association
