Napalm

This provocative piece takes the infamous 1972 Vietnam War photograph of Kim Phúc fleeing a napalm attack and reimagines it with two corporate mascots holding her hands: Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald. The stark contrast between childhood innocence and corporate America walking alongside a child victim of war creates an unsettling commentary on consumerism, Western culture, and how we process historical trauma through the lens of entertainment and commerce.

Banksy, the anonymous British street artist, created this work in 2004 as part of his ongoing critique of consumer culture and political power. By pairing one of the most haunting images of the 20th century with beloved brand characters, he forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about how commercial interests and popular culture can sanitize or distract from real human suffering. The piece retains his signature stencil style, rendered here in a limited palette that keeps the focus on the jarring juxtaposition at its core.