Banksy confirms central London statue is his work

Banksy has confirmed a new statue at Waterloo Place in central London is his, as Westminster officials move to protect it while keeping it viewable.

Banksy has confirmed that a large statue that appeared this week in central London is his work, turning a ceremonial space at Waterloo Place into the latest public stage for the elusive street artist.

The sculpture shows a suited man walking forward off a plinth while carrying a flag that covers his face. It bears Banksy’s signature and was installed in the early hours of Wednesday, the artist’s representatives told the BBC. Banksy later posted a video of the work on Instagram on Thursday afternoon.

Its placement has quickly become part of the story. Waterloo Place, in St James’s, is surrounded by monuments including statues of Edward VII, Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War Memorial, in an area designed in the 1800s to celebrate imperial power and military dominance.

Asked about the statue’s position on the ceremonial island, Banksy said: “There was a bit of a gap.”

Crowds have grown since the work appeared Wednesday. Contractors were seen putting up safety barriers around it on Thursday afternoon, while Westminster City Council, which is responsible for the area, said the statue would remain open to public view for now.

“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. “While we have taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view and enjoy.”

James Peak, creator of the BBC podcast series “The Banksy Story,” described the work as a pointed image of power and nationalism, saying the flag obscuring the figure’s vision leaves him on the brink of falling from the plinth.

The statue continues a pattern in which Banksy works appear in public spaces before being claimed by the artist, often through his Instagram account. His identity is not officially known, and his pieces on public and private property are frequently treated as political statements and often removed after they appear.

Banksy has left sculptural work in London before. In 2004, “The Drinker,” a subversive take on Rodin’s “The Thinker,” was installed on Shaftesbury Avenue before being stolen soon afterward. The new Waterloo Place work follows several recent London pieces, including murals in Bayswater and at the Royal Courts of Justice complex, as well as a 2024 animal trail around the capital.

For now, the council’s position leaves the statue in place and accessible, with the immediate question being how long it will remain there.