World-famous graffiti artist Banksy has recently concluded his animal trail, leaving nine pieces of pop-up artworks scattered around London. The series began on August 5th with a piece in Richmond, south-west London, featuring a goat perched on a ledge as rocks fall on a wall. The trail continued with works depicting elephants reaching for each other’s trunks and monkeys hanging from a railway bridge.
The final piece, unveiled outside London Zoo in Camden, north London, shows a gorilla lifting a shutter to release a sea lion and birds, with other animals looking on from inside. Despite all the pieces being revealed, speculation over the inspiration behind them persists.
Theories range from social division amidst recent riots to the Israel-Gaza conflict. James Ryan, CEO of Grove Gallery, initially thought the works had politically charged messages, referencing Palestine and Gaza. However, he now believes there is a theme of “incarceration; animals being trapped” in the series.
Banksy expert James Peak suggests that the series may represent a “grand great escape” caused by the gorilla at London Zoo. He also highlights Banksy’s past involvement in animal welfare and ecological themes in his work.
The series has not been without its share of problems, with some pieces being defaced or removed. The vandalism on the rhinoceros artwork in Charlton reignited an old feud between Banksy and his rival Robbo.
Despite the controversies, enthusiasts agree that Banksy has successfully captured the world’s attention once again. The series has sparked discussions and reaffirmed Banksy’s status as a trendsetter in the art world.
