The world’s most famous street artist Banksy painted a Girl with a Pierced Eardrum on the side of a building in Bristol, his hometown. Based on the iconic Vermeer painting, Girl with A Pearl Earring, Banksy painted his portrait around an alarm box which replaces the pearl earring on her lobe. Hence, the clever title.
Part of Banksy’s allure is his anonymity. No one has seen him while working and he wants it that way, as he is usually trespassing in order to paint on private property. However, citizens of Bristol are in an uproar because someone has thrown a can of black paint across his Girl with a Pierced Eardrum, and only 24 hours after it was completed. Ellie Morgan, owner of the recording studio inside the building, said: “It’s a real shame and a bit annoying. Someone just snuck down, did it and then snuck off.” Ah, the irony.
