Banksy has claimed two new artworks that appeared within a day of each other on the sides of buildings in southwest London. The anonymous British street artist is infamous for his love of political commentary and, in the wake of recent far-right riots in the U.K., tensions have been running high this past week, prompting the internet to theorize on what Banksy’s new animal metaphors might mean.
In one work, unveiled yesterday, the silhouette of a mountain goat appears to hobble atop a protruding ledge on the side of a house in Kew Bridge, Richmond. Rocks seem to tumble from its perch while a surveillance camera was angled upwards to scrutinize the precarious goat.
A second work in Chelsea, revealed today, depicts two elephants leaning towards each other from blocked-out windows, their trunks reaching out in a curious but friendly gesture. Both works are produced in the artist’s trademark black stenciled style and, in a characteristic fashion, Banksy confirmed his authorship via his Instagram page.
Speculation has been rife about the possible meaning behind Banksy’s artworks. Commenting on Banksy’s Instagram post of the goat, some believed it might be an abstract rumination on “the human race on the precipice,” according to @robbartlett13, or “all of nature is in peril,” wrote @leesajoanniverson.
Others looked to the news cycle for some more topical readings. “The endangered Palestinian Mountain Gazelle is the national animal of Palestine,” suggested @maggi54321. “The world is watching whilst it teeters on the edge. Limited time to save it.”
Artwork featuring two elephants by Banksy, on a residential building in the Chelsea neighbourhood of London, England. Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images.
Several commenters believed the work was most likely a response to the violent race riots that have broken out across the U.K. since a tragic stabbing attack at a dance class in Southport last Monday that left three girls dead.
“The goat’s precarious position on the edge mirrors the fragile state of U.K. society, teetering on the brink of chaos due to the recent disturbances,” suggested @colmpeterdownes. Others thought the work could reference the scapegoating of immigrants and racial minorities that has driven the far-right rioters.
The amicable elephants must surely present a more hopeful image than the imperiled goat? Perhaps not. Commenter @leesajoanniverson believed their pose, reaching out from different rooms of the house, “represents the individualized family, distanced and removed.”
“Ignoring ‘the elephant in the room’… Perfect representation of the U.K. right now,” was the no less gloomy interpretation of @potager46flowers.
Never one to shy from controversy, Banksy made headlines in June after he sent an imitation migrant boat crowdsurfing through the audience during performances by punk band Idles and rapper Little Simz at Glastonbury festival. In 2020, the artist even funded and decorated his own rescue boat to help refugees traveling from North Africa to Europe. It was seized by Italian authorities last year and again last month, shortly after the stunt at Glastonbury.
In March, Banksy made a mural of a tree in north London that was later vandalized with white paint. The owner of the building later made the controversial decision to encase the valuable artwork in a protective barrier.