Banksy, the famous graffiti artist, has captivated London with a series of new artworks. On Sunday, for the seventh consecutive day, a new piece appeared, which he confirmed as his own on Instagram. Banksy sprayed a swarm of piranhas on a police box. The photo he shared, showing an officer standing in front of the police box taking a picture, was as popular as the artwork itself. Police boxes, which resemble phone booths, are used by the public to contact the police and by the police for communication and temporary detention of suspects.
Chief Inspector Andy Spooner of the London City Police told “Sky News”: “We are aware of the vandalism of a police box on Ludgate Hill in London. We are in contact with the owner of the police box, the City of London Corporation.” The police box now looks more like a giant aquarium than an official police facility. Whether it will remain this way is unclear, as the police are discussing what to do next. This case stands out because the fish are quite different from Banksy’s usual works. On Sunday, there was some uncertainty about whether the secret street art star was indeed behind it.
What Do the Animals Sprayed by Banksy Mean?
It is unusual for Banksy to release works for seven consecutive days – typically, his releases are sporadic. It remains a mystery what he intends to convey with his latest images. Known for his socially and politically critical art, Banksy recently showcased his discontent with European refugee policies at the Glastonbury Music Festival by floating a dinghy full of puppets in orange life jackets above the festival crowd. Shortly before, the rescue ship “MV Louise Michel,” which he financed, saved 17 unaccompanied minor refugees from the Mediterranean, leading to the ship’s detention by Italian authorities.
The simplicity of his latest series, featuring animals, has sparked discussions about their meaning. Are they references to recent far-right riots in the UK? Following the stabbing of three children in Southport by a 17-year-old of Rwandan descent, racial violence escalated, including attacks on mosques and refugee shelters, which in turn prompted large demonstrations against the far right.
Capricorn, Elephants, Monkeys, Pelicans, Wolf, Cat, and Piranhas
On Monday, the first piece appeared: a Capricorn on a house wall with crumbling stones beneath it. Next, elephants were sprayed above two whitewashed windows in Chelsea, appearing to converse through the open windows. On Wednesday, three monkeys were seen on a railway bridge in Brick Lane, East London, followed by a howling wolf on a satellite dish on Thursday. On Friday, two pelicans catching a fish were spotted above a fish-and-chips takeaway, much to the delight of the owners: “So proud to have a Banksy next to our shop. Thank you for choosing us and Walthamstow to showcase your talent.” Finally, on Saturday, a stretching cat appeared on an old and empty billboard.
Fans have tried to find connections in these works. The monkeys might represent unruly politicians. The elephants could be a visual metaphor for “the elephant in the room” – a large, controversial issue that is obvious but avoided because it is uncomfortable. Wolves often symbolize fear and evil, while the Capricorn stands on shaky ground, threatening to collapse. In Walthamstow, two days before the pelicans’ reveal, a major protest march against right-wing violence took place. Some media also speculated that Banksy might be addressing climate protection, nature conservation, and biodiversity with these works.
