Hostomel, Proskurivska 2 2022

This mural was created by Banksy on Proskurivska Street in Hostomel, Ukraine. Painted on the side of a damaged building, we see a woman wearing a dressing gown and gas mask, standing on a chair. She is holding a fire extinguisher. Banksy often responds to the immediate moment, turning geopolitical events into intimate, deeply resonant images. Here, he captures the emotional and material toll of conflict. The figure seems poised between domesticity and devastation. The fire extinguisher, a symbol of both protection and potential destruction, emphasizes the vulnerability of everyday life in times of war. What does it mean to see a figure, so clearly gendered as female, taking on a traditionally masculine role as protector? The image conveys a sense of resilience amid destruction. It’s a stark reminder of the impact of war on individual lives and homes, and speaks to the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people.