An unlikely character has appeared in the Calais “Jungle” refugee camp. With a black bin bag thrown over one shoulder and an original Apple computer in his hand, he stares down over the roughly 7,000 people living in the camp through his owl-like glasses.
The mysterious figure in jeans and a black sweater isn’t a newly arrived refugee, but computer visionary Steve Jobs. Banksy’s new mural seeks to challenge attitudes towards Syrian refugees by pointing out that Jobs, the creative force behind the world’s most valuable company, Apple, is in fact the son of a Syrian migrant, who went to America after the second world war.
Accompanying his new series of murals in and around the Calais camp, Banksy said in a statement: “We’re often led to believe migration is a drain on the country’s resources but Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant. Apple is the world’s most profitable company, it pays over $7bn (£4.6bn) a year in taxes – and it only exists because they allowed in a young man from Homs.”
While media has drummed up fear towards refugees, Banksy’s piece is a reminder of the human potential being wasted in camps like the Jungle. The thousands of Syrians, Afghanis, Eritreans and people of other nations – many of whom are highly educated – stuck in the Jungle could be our future doctors, scientists – or even computer billionaires.
The refugee crisis has become a focus of Banksy’s recent work. At Dismaland, his temporary “bemusement” park in Weston-Super-Mare, visitors were invited to pilot remote-control model coastguard boats to ram overcrowded migrant boats in a stomach-churning parody of Europe’s response to thousands of migrants drowning in the Mediterranean.
On closing night, Banksy invited Pussy Riot to debut their song ‘Refugees In’, which called out government’s pathetic response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding along their shores and borders.
Since the park closed in September, the artist’s team has been transporting leftover materials to help build emergency shelters, a community area and a children’s play park for the thousands living in dire conditions in the Jungle, the site of a former rubbish tip in Calais.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Piracy in the UK: the failed war on illegal content
Twenty years since the infamous ‘You Wouldn't Steal a Car’ advert, knock-off media is more rampant than ever. But can we justify our buccaneering piracy?
Written by: Kyle MacNeill
We’re shutting down the government - here’s why
Hundreds of people have descended on Whitehall this morning to protest the British government’s complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Written by: Cecilia fire
Maverick Sabre: “When times get grittier, sounds get grittier”
The Irish singer songwriter sits down to talk about his latest album, Burn The Right Things Down – a yearning, existential journey that is fit for the times.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Kola Bokinni: “With dementia, you grieve for the person before they die”
For the latest in our Daddy Issues column, Robert Kazandjian sits down with the Ted Lasso star to talk about grief, building a relationship with his dad and losing him slowly to dementia.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
The party putting accessibility and politics centre stage
From streaming DJ sets in their kitchen during lockdown to the stage at Wembley arena Queer House Party have taken the world by storm whilst always staying true to who they are.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Redefining street photography in the 21st Century
A new exhibition celebrates the transformative art of street photography.
Written by: Miss Rosen