Londoners are offering varied interpretations of the social message behind a large statue newly installed in the heart of the city by Britain’s anonymous artist Banksy.
On the 30th of last month (local time), Banksy posted a video on social media showing the installation of the statue in central London.
Banksy has unveiled his work by leaving surprise murals and other pieces around the city and then posting images of them on social media.
He maintains his anonymity and is widely known as the “faceless artist.” His works typically convey pointed social commentary.
The newly installed statue depicts a man in a suit walking while carrying a flag; the billowing flag appears to obscure the man’s face. Banksy’s name, in his distinctive handwriting, is inscribed on the lower part of the statue’s base.
The statue stands in Waterloo Place in the St. James’s area, not far from Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace and the Palace of Westminster (the U.K. Parliament).
The street was developed in the 1800s to commemorate imperial achievements. Nearby are memorials and statues, including those of Edward VII and Florence Nightingale, as well as the Crimean War Memorial.
People continue to flock to the site to see Banksy’s work.
Oli, a 23-year-old student who spoke to the BBC, described it as “a limited event that could disappear at any time.” He said it looks like a politician in a suit and suggested it could be a response to the resurgence of nationalism in the U.K. and around the world.
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