A new statue by the elusive artist Banksy has appeared in central London, drawing crowds and sparking discussions. The sculpture, which shows a man dressed in a suit holding a flag that covers his face, was installed at Waterloo Place in the St. James area. The artist confirmed the work on Thursday via a representative.
Statue Details and Installation
The statue stands on a plinth, with the figure appearing to walk off it while holding a billowing flag. Banksy's signature is visible at the bottom of the plinth. According to a representative, the sculpture was installed in the middle of the night on Wednesday. A video posted on Instagram by the artist shows shots of Waterloo Place and landmarks like Big Ben, with a Union Jack waving, and statues of Winston Churchill, Lord Lawrence, and Edward VII. The video then cuts to a graphic showing an arrow pointing to an empty space on the street with a thinking face emoji, followed by footage of the installation crew at night. In daylight, an elderly man is seen observing the statue and remarking, "I don't like it."
Public and Official Response
The new artwork has drawn many visitors to the area, prompting the city to erect barriers around it on Thursday for protection. Westminster City Council expressed excitement about the sculpture, stating, "While we have taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view and enjoy." Waterloo Place was named after the British victory at the Battle of Waterloo, which marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The location was originally designed to celebrate British imperialism and military dominance in the 1800s.
Banksy's Recent Works
This new piece follows a series of Banksy artworks, including a mural of a judge beating a protester that was removed from a London court, a lighthouse artwork in the south of France, and a painting titled 'Broken Heart' defaced on a Brooklyn wall that was later put up for sale. The artist's identity remains a mystery, adding to the intrigue surrounding each new creation.
