Banksy’s Mediterranean Sea View 2017 was installed in the lobby of the artist’s ‘Walled Off Hotel’ in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem.  Touted by the artist as having “the worst view in the world”, the hotel overlooks the highly controversial Israeli West Bank Barrier which separates Israel from the Palestinian territories.

It was created for display over the rubble-filled fireplace in the colonial-styled hotel lobby. It is one of the comprising three found oil paintings, each traditionally framed and depicting tumultuous seascapes reminiscent of Romantic era paintings and present-day imitations, this work juxtaposes an historic fine art genre with grim contemporaneity. Banksy reworked the original compositions by adding a slew of hand-painted life jackets and buoys; a visual amendment that evokes mass death at sea.

The artwork is donated to ABCD Bethlehem, it improves the lives of children with disabilities across Palestine regardless of faith, race or gender.