On Monday, it was a goat. Tuesday saw two elephants. Now, on Wednesday, three monkeys have swung onto the scene. What’s the meaning behind Banksy’s latest stunt, and what might he unveil next?
Wild animals are causing a stir in London as Banksy unveils his third consecutive artwork in just three days.
On Monday 5 August, the Bristol-born street artist unveiled the first work of the animal series near Kew Bridge in southwest London. The piece, created in his signature stencil style, depicts a goat with rocks tumbling below it.
Following the first work, Banksy posted an image of another animal artwork on his Instagram page the next day. This time, located in Chelsea, it featured two elephants looking out at each other from blocked-out windows, their trunks almost touching.
Now on day three, three swinging monkeys have appeared across a bridge in Brick Lane, East London.
A pattern seems to be emerging:
Monday – One animal (goat).
Tuesday – Two animals (elephants).
Wednesday – Three animals (monkeys).
Thursday? Who knows… But we suspect they’ll be four of em’!
What’s the meaning behind Banksy’s ongoing London zoo series?
While the elusive artist, infamous for his political commentary, has not provided an explanation to the recent series of works, many online have been speculating.
In light of the recent and ongoing far-right riots in the UK, one popular theory suggests that Banksy is critiquing the wild and chaotic behavior currently erupting, drawing a parallel between people’s actions and wild zoo animals.
“The goat’s precarious position on the edge mirrors the fragile state of UK society, teetering on the brink of chaos due to the recent disturbances,” suggested one user on Instagram.
Another wrote, in reference to Banksy’s elephant piece: “Walking by and ignoring ‘the elephant in the room’… Perfect representation of the UK right now.”
An equally popular theory suggests that it could be a comment on climate change and how urbanisation is driving animals out of cities. “We have forced these gorgeous animals to live in a concrete jungle. We seriously suck. We had one job. Keep Mother Earth safe and alive” says one commenter.
Banksy’s latest pieces of street art come after the Bristol artist drew ire for a stunt at Glastonbury in June, which saw an imitation of migrant boat created by the artist crowd surfing during performances by indie punk band Idles (also from Bristol) and rapper Little Simz.
The then home secretary James Cleverly criticised the stunt for “trivialising” small boats crossings, describing the artistic action as “vile”.
Responding to Cleverly’s comments, the artist said it was the “real boat” he funds – the MV Louise Michel – being detained by Italian authorities, after it had rescued 17 unaccompanied children at sea, that he found “vile and unacceptable”.
The artist, whose identity remains unknown, last painted in the British capital when he sprayed green paint on a wall behind a cut-back tree.