Banksy Statue London Appears in Waterloo Place Overnight
A banksy statue london appeared in Waterloo Place overnight this week, showing a suited man blinded by the flag he carries and stepping off a tall pedestal. By Wednesday morning, Banksy’s signature was visible at the base, and by Thursday the site had barriers as onlookers gathered.
Waterloo Place statue
The figure stands among statues of King Edward VII, Florence Nightingale, the Crimean War Memorial, and other monuments to military figures, dukes and lords. Philip Mould, a London-based art dealer who spoke in an Instagram video near the statue, said, “Personally, I think what’s rather clever about it is he’s got the proportions perfectly right for the space.”
He also said, “I also rather like it when art, which is often forgotten, can be controversial, can be stimulating in this way.” Mould speculated that the statue is made of fiberglass, though his main point was about how tightly it fits the setting.
Banksy Instagram post
Banksy’s Instagram account posted a video on Thursday that seemed to confirm his involvement. The post included footage of the statue’s apparent installation, with cuts to London icons including Big Ben, a statue of Winston Churchill, a black cab and a guardsman soldier.
The placement puts a three-dimensional work from an artist better known for murals into a location packed with public monuments. Banksy installed The Drinker in London in 2004, a work that satirized Rodin’s The Thinker and depicted a man wearing a traffic cone on his head.
London authorities May 1
As of May 1, the statue was still standing, and London authorities said they did not plan to remove it. Ollie Isaac, a 23-year-old student watching the work in Waterloo Place, said, “With Banksy, it’s a limited time event because it’s public art—you don't know how long it’s going to be up.”
Sadiq Khan said in an email to, “Banksy has a great ability to inspire people from a range of backgrounds to enjoy modern art.” He added, “His work always draws great interest and debate, and the mayor is hopeful that his latest piece can be preserved for Londoners and visitors to enjoy.”
For visitors, the practical reality is simple: the statue is in place now, barriers are up, and the city has not said it will take the work down. Anyone heading to Waterloo Place is seeing a piece that has already drawn a crowd and, for now, remains on view.
