A striking new statue has appeared in central London, igniting speculation that it could be the latest work by the elusive street artist Banksy. The 25-foot structure was erected in Waterloo Place early on Wednesday morning, bearing what appears to be the artist's famous signature at its base. However, Banksy has not yet confirmed his involvement.
The Statue's Location and Appearance
The sculpture depicts a figure marching off the edge of a plinth, holding a flag that completely covers its face. It is situated along Pall Mall, near the Athenaeum Club and the Crimean War Memorial, and is positioned directly in front of a golden statue of Athena. The structure appears to have been assembled overnight using prefabricated sections.
Public Reaction and Political Message
Commuters and passersby stopped to take photographs on Wednesday morning as word spread about the potential Banksy connection. The statue's seemingly political message—showing a politician or official blinded by patriotism and walking into danger—aligns with Banksy's typical themes of political and justice-based metaphors. However, the artist has not yet claimed the work, which he traditionally does via his Instagram channel.
Comparison with Previous Works
Notably, none of Banksy's recent murals have been signed. His last artwork, a mural on a skyscraper in central London depicting a child lying next to another person pointing upward, was unsigned. That piece appeared on December 22 last year beneath the Centre Point building near Tottenham Court Road, and also on a building in Queen's Mews, Bayswater.
In September, a Banksy mural showing a protester on the floor with a blood-spattered placard while a judge wields a gavel appeared on the front of the Royal Courts of Justice. It was quickly covered by officials, with security guards patrolling in front of a screen. That artwork followed the arrest of nearly 900 people at a demonstration supporting the banned group Palestine Action, one of Britain's largest mass arrests.
Banksy's History and Identity
One of Banksy's most memorable moments came in 2003 when he disguised himself as a pensioner to install a piece in a vacant spot at the Tate Britain. In 2018, his artwork Girl With Balloon famously self-destructed at a Sotheby's auction by descending into a shredder. Banksy began his street art career over 25 years ago and has sold works for hundreds of thousands of pounds. His identity has been shrouded in secrecy, though a 2008 investigation by The Mail on Sunday named Robin Gunningham as the Bristol-based artist, a claim that remains unconfirmed.
The Daily Mail has contacted Banksy's team for comment.
