Never one to do things by halves, Banksy created Walled Off as a 10-room boutique hotel, a protest and an art gallery all at once. He hoped the venture could provide a boost in tourism and job opportunities to Bethlehem, which had suffered increasing Israeli control over travel. The hotel features Banksy’s wall art unique paintings and new sculpture, including a bust engulfed by a cloud of teargas and a monkey dressed as a porter. Many of these works play on Banksy’s favourite themes, such as anti-war messages, and big cats and chimpanzees as metaphors of oppression and confinement.

 

Established half a year after Walled Off opened, the hotel’s gift shop offered open-edition merchandise by the artist. It was the first time in years that his new works appeared on the primary market. One of the most desirable souvenirs is the Walled Off Hotel Box Set, which includes a stencilled artwork and a chiselled piece of the West Bank Wall.