• A new artwork by the artist Banksy has appeared in the UK city of Birmingham.
  • The mural depicts two reindeer about to fly away, pulling with them a man on a bench instead of Santa’s sleigh.
  • The mural debuted on December 9, and was accompanied by a video released on Banksy’s Instagram page.
  • The work makes a powerful statement about homelessness in the UK, which is at record levels according to The Guardian.
  • It also comes just two days before a general election in the UK.
  • Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Banksy has come to the UK city of Birmingham just in time to make a powerful statement about homelessness at Christmas.

The artist – whose identity has for years been one of the art world’s great mysteries – debuted a new piece of work on their Instagram account on Monday, December 9.

The new mural appears on an otherwise nondescript brick wall on Vyse Street in Birmingham. It depicts two reindeer – traditionally seen as a symbol of Christmas and associated with Santa Claus – about to fly away and bring with them a bench, which takes the place of Santa’s sleigh.

Accompanying the mural is a short video released on Banksy’s Instagram page.

The video, set to the popular holiday song "I'll Be Home for Christmas," shows a man - identified as "Ryan" in the accompanying caption - resting his head for the night on the bench, as people and cars go past.

The caption for the video says: "God bless Birmingham. In the 20 minutes we filmed Ryan on this bench passers-by gave him a hot drink, two chocolate bars and a lighter - without him ever asking for anything."

http://instagr.am/p/B52l1NkHa71

Banksy's mural and video come just days ahead of a general election in the UK.

Britons are due to head to the polls on Thursday, December 12 in a vote that will likely either see the Labour Party and its leader Jeremy Corbyn come to power or current prime minister Boris Johnson and his Conservative Party retain their grip ahead of the UK leaving the European Union.

Social issues, including housing and homeless, have become key election talking points. According to The Guardian, homelessness in the UK has hit a record high under Conservative Party leadership.

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