Banksy’s ‘Game Changer’ Was Almost Stolen During an Attempted Heist
The artwork was donated to NHS workers by the anonymous street artist.
A thief in a hazmat suit attempted to steal a Banksy piece from Southampton General Hospital in the UK. The artwork, titled Game Changer, was secretly installed by Banksy earlier this month in honor of the hospital workers currently at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.
The potential burglar was spotted loitering around near Game Changer on May 8, just two days after Banksy donated the painting.
“The man just walked in brandishing a cordless drill,” an unnamed source told The Sun. “Security spotted him and asked a supervisor if they should stop him. They were told to watch him and he was seen walking past the picture at least five times, clearly having a good look.”
The man was ultimately removed from the premises by security, but police were not called to the scene.
Game Changer, worth approximately £5 million, depicts a small child playing with a nurse doll, while Batman and Spiderman lie adjacent in a nearby waste basket. A note from Banksy himself was also left with the artwork: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.” The Banksy piece will eventually be auctioned off as a way to raise funds for NHS charities.
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