Banksy Claims Statue Installed in Central London

Street artist Banksy has confirmed that a large statue which appeared in central London this week is his work, drawing crowds to view the latest installation by the elusive figure.

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The sculpture, bearing the artist’s signature, depicts a suited man striding forward from a plinth while carrying a flag that obscures his face. The piece was placed at Waterloo Place in St James’s, an area historically associated with monuments commemorating Britain’s imperial past.

Nearby statues include figures such as Edward VII and Florence Nightingale, as well as the Crimean War Memorial.

Representatives for Banksy told the BBC the statue was installed during the early hours of Wednesday. The artist later posted a video of the piece on his Instagram account on Thursday afternoon confirming authorship.

Commenting on the placement of the work on a ceremonial island in the square, Banksy wrote: “There was a bit of a gap.”

Crowds Gather at New Artwork

Since its appearance, increasing numbers of visitors have come to see the statue.

Ollie Isaac, a 23-year-old student among those viewing the work, said the installation might not remain for long.

“With Banksy, it’s a limited time event because it’s public art – you don’t know how long it’s going to be up,” he said.

Isaac described the sculpture as “brilliant,” suggesting it could be a response to what he called a resurgence of nationalism. He added that the figure’s clothing resembled that of a politician.

Teacher Lynette Cloraleigh, 55, said she visited the site after seeing a post about it on Instagram.

“I like it,” she said. “I like where it is. It’s intriguing how it got here.”

Contractors were later seen installing safety barriers around the sculpture on Thursday afternoon.

Council Moves to Protect the Work

Westminster City Council, which oversees the area, said the statue would remain in place for public viewing.

“We’re excited to see Banksy’s latest sculpture in Westminster, making a striking addition to the city’s vibrant public art scene,” the council said in a statement.

It added that initial steps had been taken to protect the piece but that visitors would still be able to access it.

Interpretations of the Statue

James Peak, host of the BBC podcast series The Banksy Story, said the artwork appeared to depict a powerful figure blinded by the flag he carries.

“Here you’ve got a comment on a chest-puffed man in power with the flag completely obscuring his vision,” he said, suggesting the figure is about to step off the plinth.

Peak described the installation as an unusual type of statue because it captures a moment of movement rather than a static pose.

He also questioned how the artist managed to place the large sculpture at the location despite security in the area.

Discussing the setting, Peak said Britain’s imperial history and its monuments may form part of the context for the work, noting that many of Banksy’s pieces function as political commentary.

Online responses to the Instagram post included viewers describing the statue as a critique of “blind patriotism.” Some users praised the simplicity of the concept, saying the image of a suited figure obscured by a flag reflected themes commonly associated with the artist.

Part of a Series of London Works

This is not the first time Banksy has placed a statue in London. In 2004, he installed The Drinker, a parody of Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture The Thinker, on Shaftesbury Avenue. The piece was later stolen.

The latest installation also follows several recent works attributed to the artist in the capital. In December, a mural appeared in Bayswater showing two children lying on the ground. In September, Banksy said he created a painting at the Royal Courts of Justice depicting a protester lying beneath a judge holding a gavel.

In 2024, the artist also produced an “animal trail” across London featuring images including a goat, elephants, monkeys, piranhas and pelicans.

As with many of his works, the pieces were installed without public announcement and later confirmed through posts on his Instagram account.

Banksy’s identity remains officially unknown, and many of his works — often interpreted as political statements — are removed or disappear soon after they appear.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 May 2026