Arabic version: بانكسي يكشف عن تمثال جديد في وسط لندن
Street artist Banksy has confirmed a large statue that appeared in central London is his work. The sculpture, which bears his signature, depicts a suited man walking forward off a plinth while carrying a flag that covers his face. Its location – Waterloo Place, St James’s – is an area designed to celebrate imperialism and military dominance in the 1800s, placing the statue near notable figures such as Edward VII, Florence Nightingale, and the Crimean War Memorial. According to BBC News, Banksy’s representatives stated that the statue was installed in the early hours of Wednesday, before the artist posted a video of it on his Instagram account on Thursday afternoon.
Since it appeared on Wednesday, crowds have gradually increased in size, with people gathering to take photos. Contractors were seen erecting safety barriers around the work on Thursday afternoon. Westminster City Council, which is responsible for the area, said: “We’re excited to see Banksy’s latest sculpture in Westminster, making a striking addition to the city’s vibrant public art scene. While we have taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view and enjoy.”
James Peak, creator of the BBC podcast series The Banksy Story, described the statue as a brilliant comment on a bumptious, chest puffed out man in power with the flag completely obscuring his vision, which is why he is about to fall off the plinth. He added that Banksy had “pulled off another fantastic coup…the positioning is absolutely knockout.”
This piece is the latest in a recent series of London-based works by the artist, who is known for high-profile and often controversial pieces worldwide. In 2004, Banksy previously left a statue in London titled The Drinker, a subversive take on Rodin’s The Thinker, which was installed on Shaftesbury Avenue before being stolen soon afterwards. Each time, the pieces have appeared to have been installed covertly and later confirmed as his work on his Instagram account.
