London residents have been gifted with a surprise series of six artworks across the city this week, each created by the internationally-known artist Banksy. However, it was questioned whether the silhouettes carry a political message connected to the far-right riots occurring in the country. Reportedly, Banksy’s intention with the series was to bring cheer to the public mood with uplifting and surprising moments of joy or amusement, which focuses on humans’ capacity for creativity rather than destruction.
The first of the six pieces was revealed on August 5, depicting a stencilled goat mural perched on a ledge in Richmond. The series was then followed by two elephants with trunks almost touching outside windows in Chelsea, swiftly followed by three monkeys hanging from a bridge in Shoreditch. On Thursday, Banksy’s work showed a wolf howling at the moon from a satellite dish in Peckham, which was immediately stolen. Friday’s piece was located outside a Walthamstow fish and chip shop, and finally, today, a stretching cat has appeared on a wooden advertising hoarding on Edgware Road.
Reports state that the artworks were intended to bring joy to Londoners at a time when life feels uncertain and bleak. The artist’s support organisation Pest Control Office has explained that the public should expect more new works in the series “for a few days more”. The most recent display of artwork comes after the artist gifted a politically-laden intervention at this year’s Glastonbury festival. During IDLES’ set, Banksy launched a dummy-filled immigrant boat into the crowd while Little Simz was performing on the Pyramid Stage.
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