TVBoy anti-war mural vandalized in Barcelona's Gràcia district

The Italian artist's work in Plaça de la Virreina was targeted with anti-gentrification messages.

Generic image of a vandalized urban art mural in a city square.
IA

Generic image of a vandalized urban art mural in a city square.

The artist Salvatore Benintende, professionally known as TVBoy, saw his latest mural in Vila de Gràcia vandalized just hours after its completion this March.

The graffiti, located at Plaça de la Virreina on the corner of Or street, is a plea for peace amid conflicts between the USA, Israel, and Iran. The artwork features Punch the monkey hugging a plush toy under the slogan Stop hate. However, the original message was partially covered by a photograph criticizing the artist for his perceived role in gentrification.
The mural's subject, Punch the macaque, is a real animal from the Ichikawa Zoo in Japan. The monkey became an internet sensation after zookeepers provided him with an Ikea plush toy to replace his mother, who abandoned him after his birth in July 2025.
TVBoy is a frequent contributor to Barcelona's street art scene. His most notable works include portraits of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams at Glòries park, as well as his famous series of kissing political figures such as Carles Puigdemont and Pedro Sánchez.