In August 2024, Banksy, the elusive and world-renowned street artist, unveiled a series of animal-themed murals across London. Dubbed the "London Zoo" series by fans, these nine pieces appeared daily in various locations around the city, sparking intrigue, speculation, and debate. Below is a comprehensive guide to each mural, their locations, and the speculated meanings behind them.
Banksy three swinging monkeys on Brick Lane, Shoreditch London UK, his third piece of artwork in his zoo animal series. 13th August 2024. Taken from Shutterstock
The Murals
- Goat on a Ledge – Richmond
The series began on 5th August with a mural of a goat perched precariously on a ledge near Kew Bridge in Richmond, southwest London. The goat appears to be standing above a CCTV camera, possibly commenting on surveillance and the precarious nature of freedom in modern society.
- Elephants Touching Trunks – Chelsea
The following day, Banksy revealed a mural in Chelsea, west London, depicting two elephants with their trunks reaching out towards each other. The image, reminiscent of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, has been interpreted as a commentary on connection and the ‘elephant in the room’ in social and political issues.
- Monkeys Swinging from a Bridge – Shoreditch
On 7th August, three monkeys were painted swinging across a bridge in Shoreditch, East London. Banksy often uses monkeys in his work to reflect on human nature and society. This piece might be a playful nod to the concept of a "concrete jungle."
- Wolf Howling at the Moon – Peckham
A day later, a wolf howling at the moon was painted onto a satellite dish in Peckham, South London. The dish cleverly doubles as the moon in this striking piece. However, this artwork was stolen shortly after its creation, raising questions about the preservation of street art.
- Pelicans Catching Fish – Walthamstow
On 9th August, two pelicans appeared on the wall above Bonners Fish Bar in Walthamstow, northeast London. One pelican is seen catching a fish, while the other seems to be eyeing its next meal. This mural, with its whimsical design, brought a touch of humour to the series.
- Cat Stretching on a Billboard – Cricklewood
The next day, a large cat was painted stretching across a dilapidated billboard on Edgware Road, Cricklewood. This piece was quickly removed by contractors, citing safety concerns and the risk of theft.
- School of Piranhas – Ludgate Hill
On 11th August, Banksy transformed a City of London Police sentry box on Ludgate Hill into an aquarium, with piranhas swimming on its glass front. This mural, situated near The Old Bailey, could be interpreted as a critique of the justice system or simply as a playful twist on a mundane object.
- Rhino Mounting a Car – Charlton
In Charlton, southeast London, a rhinoceros was depicted propping itself up on a deflated car with a traffic cone on its bonnet. Unfortunately, this piece was defaced with graffiti within hours of its discovery, leading to the removal of the car, and leaving the mural partially ruined.
- Gorilla at London Zoo – Regent’s Park
The final mural of the series appeared at the entrance of London Zoo on 13th August. The artwork depicted a gorilla lifting the shutters, as if to free the other animals from captivity. The zoo swiftly removed the mural to safeguard it and to resume full operations at the entrance.
Possible Meanings Behind the Murals
Banksy’s animal murals have sparked a myriad of interpretations, as is typical of his work. Given his penchant for social commentary, it is possible that these pieces reflect on issues like animal rights, environmentalism, and the tension between freedom and captivity. The ‘London Zoo’ theme may also suggest a broader commentary on society, likening the city’s inhabitants to animals trapped in the urban jungle.
Some have speculated that the series is a response to recent political events, such as far-right riots and the general mood of discontent in the country. Others see the murals as a celebration of life and creativity, offering moments of joy and surprise in contrast to the prevailing gloom.
Banksy ninth and last artwork on the shutters of London Zoo in Regents Park, 13th August 2024, Gorilla releasing other zoo animals. Taken from Shutterstock
What Happened to the Murals?
Unfortunately, many of the murals have already faced damage or removal:
- Wolf on Satellite Dish: This piece was stolen within hours of its creation in Peckham, raising concerns about the preservation of street art.
- Cat on Billboard: The Cricklewood mural was removed by contractors to prevent it from being stolen or damaged, though its current whereabouts remain unknown.
- Rhino Mounting a Car: The Charlton mural was defaced with a graffiti tag just seven hours after its reveal. The car was subsequently removed, leaving the artwork incomplete.
- London Zoo Gorilla: The zoo removed the mural from its entrance, citing the need to fully reopen the gate for visitors. The piece has been preserved but is no longer on public display.
Despite the challenges these murals have faced, Banksy’s animal series has left a lasting impression on London’s urban landscape. The fate of these artworks serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of street art and the ongoing debate over how it should be preserved and protected.
