Banksy has revealed his seventh artwork in London this week, confirming that he painted swimming fish on a police sentry box on Ludgate Hill. The glass-fronted box has been transformed into an aquarium, and is the latest addition to his surprise animal-themed series. Since Monday, new stencil images of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, a cat, and now fish have appeared across the city. This work is unique in that it is a detailed painting created with translucent spray paint.
A local resident took pictures of the fish artwork, explaining that “it’s not in your face, it’s quite subtle. I like it, it’s got a charm to it somehow.” However, it is unclear what will be done with the work, as City of London Police have labeled it as criminal damage. The art was picked up by CCTV cameras and two officers have visited the sentry box. One officer stated that they are waiting to hear what will be done about it.
While three of the artist’s works have been removed or defaced this week, his fans continue to come to London to see his latest creations. Three Banksy fans from the West Midlands traveled to London for the weekend to view the latest artwork in the city. The fish sentry box is the seventh in a surprise art trail, where Banksy unveils a new image on his Instagram page each day.
Banksy’s animal-themed series includes a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, a cat, and now swimming fish. Police sentry boxes, such as this one on Ludgate Hill, were installed in the 1990s to protect the city during the IRA troubles. Banksy’s artwork, however, has attracted criminal damage allegations from the City of London Police. It is unclear what will happen to the artwork next.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
