Words and images by Martin Brisland.
I recently attended a delightful event during Southampton’s Urban Wild Festival. It was a visit to the rooftop garden at the Princess Anne Hospital.
Back in May 2020 – during the early phase of Covid – Banksy sent a one square metre work called Game Changer to Southampton General Hospital. A note with it said “Thanks for all you are doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it is only black and white.”
It shows a young boy playing with an action figure of an NHS nurse with a cape. The only element of colour is the Red Cross emblem on her apron. The nurse’s arm is outstretched like Superman on a mission.
The boy is discarding traditional superhero figures like Batman and Spider-Man into a bin.
The original was sold by Christies in March 2021 for a record of nearly £16.8 million. All proceeds were given to Southampton Hospitals Charity Fund to fund wellbeing, mental health, and community healthcare projects. A high-quality reproduction is in the main entrance area on Level C, near the pharmacy.
After consultation, a roof garden was built for the benefit of staff. It was opened in July 2023 on the 75th anniversary of the NHS and is available to staff 24/7.
Rainfall is collected in a 10 thousand litre tank and once treated is used back on the garden through a computer controlled automatic watering system.
A noticeable number of bees are attracted to the garden.
Other projects such as a staff wellbeing site which includes a gym have also been developed with the Banksy money. Funds have also been distributed throughout the UK to benefit the wider community of healthcare providers.
Banksy has previously left his mark on our city. In 2010, a piece of his artwork was discovered on a white garden wall of a privately owned terraced house in Bevois Valley. It was a monochrome drawing of a young boy sat on a pavement. He was holding a balloon with the words No Future in red letters above.
It is thought Banksy sprayed the stencil en route to the Isle of Wight. Sadly, within a few days the piece was covered in white paint.
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