The latest mural by the elusive street artist Banksy, featuring a gorilla and other animals seemingly escaping from the London Zoo, has been secured for preservation. The zoo took down the mural from its gate on Friday evening after it drew crowds of visitors for five consecutive days. To maintain operational normalcy, a reproduction of the artwork has been installed in its place, alongside a sign with British slang that reads, “Banksy woz ere.”
Kathryn England, the zoo’s chief operating officer, expressed gratitude for the artwork and its impact on the zoo’s history. She remarked on the artwork’s ability to bring joy and to spotlight wildlife, highlighting the zoo’s intention to preserve this unique moment properly.
The mural, spray-painted using a stencil, depicted an ape lifting part of the roll-down gate, releasing birds and a sea lion, with three pairs of eyes gleaming from the darkness within. It concluded a nine-day streak of animal-themed works by Banksy across London and quickly became a subject of public debate. The zoo noted the mural had sparked conversations among visitors, with interpretations ranging from a commentary on guerrilla art to the role of zoos.
A representative for Banksy shared with the Observer that the series aimed to provide amusement and uplift spirits during challenging times. Banksy, whose career began in Bristol, England, remains one of the world’s most renowned yet anonymous artists. His works fetch millions at auction and often attract the attention of thieves and vandals.
This mural is the fifth in Banksy’s animal series to be either stolen, vandalized, or relocated for safekeeping. One of the earlier works, a howling wolf on a satellite dish, was taken by masked men shortly after Banksy confirmed its authenticity via Instagram. Another piece, a big cat on a decrepit billboard, was removed by a crew amidst public outcry; it was later reported that the billboard would be reassembled in an art gallery.
Additional works in the series have met similar fates. A rhinoceros depicted mounting a broken-down car was defaced, and the car removed. A small police guard post turned into a faux aquarium with a school of piranhas painted on its windows was dismantled by the City of London, which plans to place it in a location accessible to the public.
Jasper Tordoff, a Banksy expert from MyArtBroker, suggested that the final mural in the series might imply that the other animals spotted around London had originated from the zoo. However, Tordoff also speculated that Banksy might be probing human tendencies to possess things, even to the extent of breaking the law, while simultaneously highlighting efforts to preserve such art.
The London Zoo, which had protected the mural with a see-through plastic shield and security guards, has yet to disclose future plans for the artwork. Its removal ensures the piece is conserved, akin to the wildlife it represents. If the mural returns on display, it may find a new home within the zoo, accessible yet untouchable.
