Garth Gator Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 Banksy took passersby on a week-long safari tour in London, with the enigmatic street artist unleashing a parade of murals across the city. From August 5 to 12, a total of eight animal-themed artworks popped up in expected locations. Are these the cat’s meow or acts of monkey business? This is a developing post, and we will update it each time new artwork is added. Day 1: Goat View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) The artistic adventure kicked off near Kew Bridge in Richmond, where a daring goat balanced precariously on a narrow pillar. This caprine climber wasn’t just showing off its mountaineering skills—it was also under the watchful eye of a painted CCTV camera, hinting at themes of surveillance and control. Day 2: Elephants View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) As Tuesday rolled around, two elephant silhouettes emerged from bricked-up windows on a house at the corner of Edith Terrace and Edith Grove, their trunks stretching towards each other in a poignant display. Day 3: Monkeys View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) Midweek brought a playful turn to the series, with three cheeky monkeys swinging from an overpass near the vibrant Brick Lane area. Known for its diverse culture and existing street art, this location proved the perfect playground for Banksy’s simian subjects. Day 4: Wolf View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) Thursday’s artwork howled with controversy. A lone wolf, its silhouette stark against a painted moon, appeared on a satellite dish atop a storefront near the UCKG Help Centre. This piece, however, had a short-lived existence. Before many could catch a glimpse, the artwork vanished—stolen by opportunistic art thieves. Day 5: Pelicans View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) As the weekend approached, two stenciled pelicans hovered above Bonners Fish Bar in Walthamstow, engaged in a feast of their own. One bird cheekily plucked a fish from the shop’s sign, while its companion snatched a leaping fish mid-air. Day 6: Cat View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) Saturday’s addition to the animal kingdom was a feline friend stretching languidly across a dilapidated billboard on Edgware Road in Cricklewood. The cat, caught mid-stretch with arched back and extended paws, seemed to embody the very essence of urban cool. However, like the wolf before it, this kitty quickly lost one of its nine lives. Contractors, fearing theft, removed the artwork mere hours after its discovery. Day 7: Piranhas View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) Sunday saw Banksy dive into deeper waters. A police sentry box in Ludgate Hill underwent a fishy transformation, becoming a giant aquarium teeming with piranha. Using translucent spray paint to create the illusion of water, Banksy turned a symbol of law and order into a surreal underwater scene. The display was removed by the City of London Corporation shortly after to ensure it was "properly protected," with a permanent location set to be revealed in due course. Day 8: Rhinoceros View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) Just when they thought Banksy would be done with his animalistic antics after a week, Londoners got a cheeky wakeup call the following Monday. A mural of a rhinoceros appeared on Westmoor Street in Charlton, southeast London. The creature is seen “humping” a silver Nissan Micra, with a traffic cone on its hood to resemble another rhino. Alas, not long after, the piece was defaced with spray paint by a balaclava-wearing figure, who was booed by passersby as he walked away from the scene. True to form, Banksy has remained silent about the meaning behind this animal kingdom takeover, leaving art enthusiasts and casual observers alike to interpret the works for themselves. https://news.yahoo.com/banksy-unveils-seventh-animal-themed-133131811.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/banksy-unveils-two-new-animal-murals-in-two-days-180984840/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9ejndq4d4o https://www.instagram.com/banksy https://designtaxi.com/news/427041/Horny-Rhino-Is-Banksy-s-Eighth-Mural-To-Invoke-London-s-Wild-Side/ https://designtaxi.com/news/427042/Banksy-s-Rhino-Gets-Defaced-By-Balaclava-Wearing-Figure/ Images: Banksy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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