M.V. The Louise Michel is a lightning-fast, privately owned ship named after the French anarchist and feminist. It has been on patrol in the central Mediterranean since 2020, with the goal of assisting migrants in need. The vessel, from French customs, has more than twice the speed of traditional rescue vessels. An interesting aspect is that the M.V. Louise Michel was acquired by British street artist Banksy himself, who reportedly hand-painted the 30-foot vessel pink using a fire extinguisher.
The motif on the ship - a little girl wearing a life jacket and holding a heart-shaped lifebelt - is reminiscent of Banksy's famous Girl with a Balloon. Like most successful people in the art world, I bought a yacht to sail around the Mediterranean," the artist wrote ironically in a video posted on Instagram at the time of the purchase. M.V. Louise Michel sails under the German flag and is supported by Sea-Watch, a Berlin-based German association whose main goal is to rescue refugees in the Mediterranean.
Collection at our exhibition
There are huge costs involved in running a salvage ship (these include port fees, spare parts, ship maintenance, crew upkeep, transportation, etc.).
Our exhibition "The Mystery of Banksy - A Genius Mind" is making an important contribution to support this important work! Each part of the exhibition has its own section dedicated to the M.V. ship. Louise Michel with graphics, photographs, sculptures, video installations and additional information. A donation box encourages all visitors to financially support this project. We then double all proceeds and donate 100% to the ship's owner "Handbreit - nautical safety solutions".
Those who would also like to support the project have the opportunity to do so at these links:
M.V. Louise Michel
Handbreit - Nautical safety solutions