Andy Rain / EPA
A possible new work by Banksy has emerged in central London
The figure, dressed in a suit and with his view obstructed by the flag, has one foot suspended over the edge of the pedestal, suggesting he is about to make a false step. Nobody knows its meaning. “Blind patriotism”, speculate the artist’s fans.
The presumably British artist Banksy confirmed this Thursday that he was the author of a large statue, installed on a pedestal, that represents a man carrying a flag that waved backwards, covering his face.
The statue was born mysteriously, one day out of gold, next to the The Mallthe famous 1km, reddish-hued, tree-lined ceremonial boulevard that runs through the heart of London from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace.
According to , the sculpture, which bears Banksy’s signature on the pedestal, was deposited on site overnightfrom a truck — as can actually be seen in an Instagram video of the mysterious street artist.
The figure, dressed in a suit and view obstructed by flaghas one foot suspended over the edge of the pedestal, which seems to suggest that he is about to give a false step.
The work was installed in an area of the British capital famous for royal palaces and gentlemen’s clubs, and imitates the style of nearby statuess, including that of King Edward VII on horseback, that of nurse Florence Nightingale and that of statesman Sidney Herbert.
Some users left the most varied theories about the meaning of the statue in the comments section of the artist’s Instagram. “Blind patriotism“, speculated one of the users.
There are also those who question how the street artist managed to accomplish such a feat in the epicenter of the city. establishment Londoner. But, in fact, this is not the first time that Banksy has surprised the world with , mysteriously, without anyone knowing how.
Banksy, who Keeps your identity a closely guarded secretuses Instagram to confirm that murals and sculptures are yours.
Over the years, several theories have emerged about the name behind the artist, with some pointing to the musician Robert Wellfrom Massive Attack, as the main suspect. In 2023, it was concluded that after all.
In March, in a special report, Reuters revealed details about the way of working by Banksy and, confirming a decades-old theory that pointed out the artist Robin Gunningham as the person behind the famous pieces of urban art.
Having apparently solved the mystery of the British artist’s identity, it remains to be seen who he is, who ZAP interviewed in 2023.
