Banksy’s superhero nurse painting to be auctioned for NHS charities

Game Changer has an estimated value of £2.5m to £3.5m

Banksy's Game Changer originally hung on a wall at  Southampton General Hospital. AFP

A Banksy artwork which displays a nurse as a superhero doll is being auctioned to raise money for the UK's National Health Service.
The painting, Game Changer, was hung near the emergency department at Southampton General Hospital during the first wave of the pandemic and has a pre-sale estimated price of £2.5 million to £3.5m ($3.5m-$4.8m).
The 1m x 1m canvas shows a boy playing with a nurse doll, which is wearing a face mask and cape, seemingly flying to the rescue like Superman.
The doll has a red cross symbol on her chest where Superman's "S" would be. Below her are Batman and Spider-Man toys.

"Game Changer is a universal tribute to all those fighting worldwide on the front line of this crisis," said Katharine Arnold, of Christie's, the auction house selling the painting.

"The work pays tribute to the strength and resilience of those who have demonstrated true leadership throughout the pandemic, the staff of our vital NHS."

When the picture was first unveiled, a note said: "Thanks for all you're doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it's only black and white."
A reproduction of the work will stay at the hospital while the original is moved temporarily to Christie's for the March 23 sale.

Banksy's latest artwork to appear in public was painted on a wall at Reading Prison on March 1.
On Monday he shared a video of him painting a prisoner trying to escape using a rope made of bedsheets and tied to a typewriter.
Filmed by an accomplice, the video shows Banksy in a black hoodie working quickly under the cover of darkness. He never shows his face.

See more of Banksy's work: