Banksy Steve Jobs as a Syrian refugee at Calais migrant camp in northern France. Image courtesy of Banksy

ART NEWS: France to Protect Banksy Steve Jobs as a refugee mural at the Calais migrant camp

BY KAZAD

Banksy, Child looks toward Britain through a telescope. Image courtesy of Banksy

LONDON-With all the attention gained by Banksy’s new mural of Apple founder Steve Jobs as a Syrian refugee on a wall in the Calais migrant camp in northern France, it is not surprising that French Authorities are making  plans to protect the mural from vandalism and damage. Banksy Steve Jobs is dominated by the image of Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian  migrant to the United States. The mural is a reminder of the contributions of immigrants to the United States and other Western societies.

In the Steve Job mural titled Jungle, the Apple founder has a black bin bag thrown over one shoulder and an original Apple computer in another hand. Dressed in his trademark blue jeans, black polo neck sweater, and round glasses, the life-size Steve Jobs overlooks the refugee camp filled with tattered tents as if saying ‘I am one of you.’ Steve Jobs father moved to the United States after the Second World War.

ART NEWS  | READ ALSO: Banksy Highlights Steve Jobs Syrian Root In New Mural

The popularity of the Banksy Steve Jobs as refugee mural and its significance in the debate over immigration,  has prompted the French Authorities to initiate  a plan protect the mural  from  vandalism and been damaged. The plan includes placing a glass or transparent plastic panel over the mural. According to a Calais city spokeswoman, they had just become aware of the Banksy Steve Jobs mural. “We found out about the presence of this artwork on Friday and have decided to protect it, so it is not damaged,”she said.

Banksy Steve Jobs is not the only mural by the graffiti artist that will protected by the French authorities. Another mural  by the Calais beach will also be protected.  In the beach mural, a child looks toward Britain through a telescope. Perched on the telescope is a vulture.

Another mural located at the immigration office in Calais will also be protect by the French Authorities. Inspired by Theodore Gericault’s famous painting of shipwreck survivors titled Raft of the Medusa, the piece shows survivors on a raft waving to gain the attention a of luxury yacht in the distance.

For months Calais refugee camp has been home to many refugees trying to get into enter  Britain. Living in deplorable conditions, the  refugees have been condemned by politicians and anti-migrant advocates who, as Banksy notes, continue to argue that  ‘migration is a drain to the country’s resources. ‘ With his mural of Steve Jobs as a Syrian migrant, Banksy counters that argument noting that “Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant. Apple is the world’s most profitable company, it pays over $7bn (£4.6bn) a year in taxes – and it only exists because they allowed in a young man from Homs.”

Banksy: “Maybe this whole situation will just sort itself out.”

Banksy, Maybe this whole situation will just sort itself out. Image courtesy of Banksy

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