ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Unconfirmed Banksy statue appears in London's Waterloo Place

artist · 2026-04-30

An unconfirmed statue signed 'Banksy' in chalk appeared in Waterloo Place, St. James's, London, near the Crimean War Memorial, Edward VII statue, and Florence Nightingale statue. The work depicts a man in a suit with a flag covering his face. Banksy has not claimed it on Instagram after a day, raising doubts. His last confirmed work was a December 2025 mural at Centrepoint on homelessness, and a September 2025 mural at the Royal Courts of Justice on pro-Palestinian protests. The statue may be a marketing stunt or a political satire.

Key facts

  • Statue appeared in Waterloo Place, St. James's, London.
  • Signed 'Banksy' in chalk on the pedestal, an unprecedented method.
  • Depicts a man in a suit with a flag covering his face.
  • Located near Crimean War Memorial, Edward VII statue, and Florence Nightingale statue.
  • Banksy has not confirmed the work on Instagram as of one day after installation.
  • Last confirmed Banksy work: December 2025 mural at Centrepoint on homelessness.
  • Previous work: September 2025 mural at Royal Courts of Justice on pro-Palestinian protests.
  • Possible explanations: marketing stunt, political satire, or genuine Banksy.

Entities

Artists

  • Banksy

Institutions

  • Reuters
  • Centrepoint
  • Royal Courts of Justice
  • Athenaeum Club
  • Artribune
  • BBC

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Waterloo Place
  • St. James's
  • Tottenham Court Road
  • Bristol
  • St James's
  • Bayswater

Sources