A Face Mask Has Mysteriously Appeared on Banksy’s ‘Girl With a Pierced Eardrum’

Photo: bogdanm85/Instagram

A giant surgical face mask has been attached over the girl’s mouth, a clear acknowledgment of the current heightened health precautions everyone is taking during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s unknown whether Banksy or someone else installed the fabric face mask, but the update is drawing as much attention as the initial mural itself.

Banksy hasn’t posted the work on his Instagram account, sparking some speculation that he isn’t responsible for the addition. His most recent confirmed work, however, is also a nod to today’s strange circumstances. On his Instagram, he revealed a version of his trademark scene of rats running amok on city streets — only this time, the stenciled rats are wreaking havoc in his own bathroom.

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A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) on Apr 15, 2020 at 10:45am PDT

The caption reads, “My wife hates it when I work from home.”