System To Preserve Banksy Painting

Ajax Systems has deployed $13,000 worth of security and monitoring devices at Banksy murals in Kyiv region.

Banksy’s artwork has sold for millions around the world, with his most expensive piece fetching over $25 million. The high price tag makes Banksy’s art a target for thieves. That has led the government of Ukraine and concerned officials, businesses and citizens to install special “impact resistant” glass over several Banksy paintings that first started appearing on buildings in Ukraine in the fall of 2022.

Ajax Systems went even further in protection: a Ukrainian-founded international security company has installed high-tech systems to ensure round-the-clock protection of four murals created by secretive artist Banksy in the Kyiv region – Borodyanka, Irpin and Horenka, which are among seven that he created on buildings in the war-torn country last year as a statement of support for Ukrainians’ resilience against Russia’s invasion.

Oleh Torkunov, the deputy head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, says: “Banksy’s works have cultural and historical value for the country as a reminder that light will win over darkness. It is important to resist possible vandalism attempts that have already happened.”

The company installed the systems, which include shockproof glass and alarms (all the expenses being covered by Ajax Systems) after an attempt last December to steal a mural depicting a woman in a gas mask in Hostomel, a Kyiv suburb that was central to staving off Russian forces in the first days of the invasion.