How did Banksy erect a statue in Central London?
Banksy installed a statue in central London on a plinth in Waterloo Place, depicting a suited man blinded by a flag, using a low-loader truck and a professional team under cover of darkness. The artist confirmed the work via an Instagram video showing the installation process, which likely took only minutes. Westminster City Council did not grant permission but acknowledged the artwork as a striking addition to the city's public art scene.
- ▪The statue was erected in the early hours using a low-loader truck, traffic cones, and a skilled team experienced in rapid installations.
- ▪Banksy shared a video on Instagram revealing snapshots of the setup, including the use of safety gear and lifting equipment.
- ▪Westminster City Council stated it did not authorize the installation but expressed excitement about the sculpture's presence.
- ▪The artwork is located near prominent statues and government buildings, sparking global media attention and positive public reactions.
- ▪The council is currently considering its options regarding the statue's future, as past Banksy works have been either stolen or preserved.
- ▪The piece symbolically critiques blind nationalism and strong leadership, according to commentary from Banksy podcast creator James Peak.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
How did Banksy put up a statue in central London?Image source, PA MediaImage caption, The statue appeared on a plinth in Waterloo Place on WednesdayByHarry LowLondonPublished4 hours agoA low-loader, some traffic cones and "the sort of dudes who can set up a Metallica concert in 24 hours" - this was all Banksy needed to install his latest artwork in central London.Under the cover of darkness, the street artist erected a statue on a plinth showing a besuited man walking forward, blinded by a flag covering his face.How did he do it? And what will happen next?<div class="ssrcss-1553su4-ErrorMessage eitf6465"><div class="ssrcss-h7lv7m-StyledInnerContainer eitf6464"><div class="ssrcss-nbxsk2-TextContent eitf6461"><h2 type="normal" class="ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0">To play this video you…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at BBC News.