The Philosophy Behind Banksy’s Art

The COVID-19 pandemic saw Banksy returning to themes of unsung heroism. In Game Changer (2020), a young boy ditches his superhero toys in favor of a nurse doll clad in an NHS uniform. The drawing is a tribute to healthcare workers but also a reminder of how true strength lies in compassion, not violence. The philosophical underpinning recalls the ethics of Emmanuel Levinas, who emphasized responsibility for the other as the foundation of morality.