New Banksy Statue Causes Stir in Central London
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- A large statue depicting a man with a flag covering his face, interpreted as a critique of blind nationalism, was mysteriously installed overnight in Waterloo Place, London.
- The statue, which shows the man stepping off the edge of its plinth, appeared near numerous 19th-century British military and colonial statues, adding to its symbolic context.
- Banksy’s representatives confirmed the installation and the artist posted a video of the statue on Instagram, drawing significant public attention and social media sharing.
- Local authorities responded by placing barriers around the statue, while the method of installation and whether it had official permission remain unclear.
- Art dealer Philip Mould praised the statue’s fitting proportions and its ability to provoke thought, highlighting the role of controversial public art.
