New Banksy Artwork Discovered in Marseille

In an intriguing twist, Banksy's latest graffiti art has been located in the French city of Marseille, showcasing a lighthouse along with a thought-provoking quote.

The iconic street artist Banksy has once again captivated art enthusiasts and the public with a fresh piece of graffiti that was discovered on a drab wall in Marseille’s Rue Félix Fregier. The artwork features a meticulously stenciled lighthouse and the poignant words: “I want to be what you saw in me.” This piece creates a unique visual trick, as it features a false shadow from a nearby bollard, making the lighthouse appear as a silhouette against the dull backdrop of the pavement.

The location of this striking piece remained a mystery until it was confirmed by BBC Verify. Online images further hint at the atmosphere of the area, including a blurred figure on a scooter passing by the artwork and a graffiti tag reading “Yaze” nearby, which is associated with the Canadian artist Marco The Polo. In a nod to Banksy’s influence, Marco has cited the elusive artist as a source of inspiration for his own work.

Google Streetview offers a wider view of the location, showcasing the circumstances before Banksy’s latest deployment of art to the urban landscape. Banksy has managed to keep his identity a secret, relying on his Instagram account to authenticate his works. His creations often carry political messages concerning issues like immigration and homelessness, although some of his motives remain enigmatic, as seen in a series of animal-themed artworks across London last summer.

In December of the previous year, the artist shared another impactful piece featuring a Madonna and child, where a wall fixture resembled a bullet wound, stirring further debate on the messages embedded within his art.