Banksy Amazes London with Trio of Animal Artworks

One goat, two elephants, and now three monkeys: British street artist Banksy thrilled fans in London on Wednesday by unveiling his third new artwork in a span of just three days.

This new animal-themed artwork collection has ignited a whirlwind of speculation. Fans are debating if these pieces critique England’s far-right riots or perhaps show support for Palestinians. Others wonder if they highlight global warming or even reference the Olympics.

In typical Banksy fashion, the enigmatic artist offered no explanations when he posted the artworks on Instagram. However, what stands out is the rapid pace at which these pieces have appeared, as Banksy’s works are usually spaced months apart.

On Monday, a depiction of a goat precariously perched atop a wall with rocks tumbling down appeared in Richmond, southwest London.

“I think it’s actually a mountain gazelle from Palestine. So, I think that work relates to Palestine,” commented Daniel Lloyd-Morgan, a 60-year-old artist, to AFP.

Then on Tuesday, two elephant silhouettes with their trunks stretched towards each other appeared in Chelsea, southwest London.

On Wednesday, the black silhouette of three monkeys swinging from the side of a railway bridge caught the public’s eye.

“Banksy is trying to get us to think and reflect about the ecological crisis that really threatens humanity,” said university professor Fawaz Gerges to AFP as he admired the latest piece. “His focus seems to be on animals, trees, oceans, and it’s an overarching theme of his in the past few months.”

The appearance of these artworks coincides with a period of violent far-right, anti-immigrant protests in England following the murder of three girls. Protesters have targeted hotels housing asylum seekers.

Banksy, whose true identity remains a mystery, has frequently expressed sympathy for refugees’ struggles. Last month at the Glastonbury music festival, the artist launched an inflatable boat over crowds depicting dummy migrants wearing life vests.

The rapid succession of these works, coupled with their evocative themes, continues to provoke thought and conversation, reinforcing Banksy’s position as a poignant commentator on contemporary issues.

Source: AFP