Is Banksy in Spain?

No one knows his face or his physical appearance, but it is undeniable that Banksy is one of the most sought-after artists of the moment. Every city wants to have a graffiti piece by him, and Ferrol has been yearning for one for some time. Well, it seems they might finally have it. The Ferrol neighborhood of Canido, famous for its Meninas, woke up to a graffiti piece of two civil guards kissing, resembling another work by the artist featuring two British policemen sharing a kiss.

It is still unknown whether the piece, located at number 23 Muiño do Vento Street, is an original work by Banksy or not. The artist has not claimed it as he usually does by sharing his new creation on his official Instagram account, but everything points - the style, the clandestineness - to the fact that it could be.

With this action, it seems that Banksy may be picking up the spear thrown by the Ferrol neighborhood last year. It was then, coinciding with a graffiti festival, that a space was reserved for the famous artist. As reported at the time by La Voz de Galicia, it was an invitation made through advertisements in English, French, and Italian in newspapers and billboards across various European cities. Specifically, the invitation stated: "We have reserved a space for you on one of our streets where you can freely express your most personal interpretation of Las Meninas and help us make our neighborhood a more beautiful place to live. We are waiting for you!" signed by the residents of Canido neighborhood in Ferrol.

This action was framed within the already famous "Meninas de Canido," which began in 2008 as a reclamation action by Eduardo Hermida against the neighborhood's deterioration. This painter, along with other painter friends, managed to create 300 Meninas on the facades of the neighborhood, 230 of which still survive and can be seen on a route.

The truth is that the two civil guards bear little resemblance to Velázquez's meninas, but a Banksy work is always welcome.