London Becomes Banksy’s ‘London Zoo’: Nine Animal Works in Nine Days
Banksy, the famous and elusive street artist, has turned London into an open-air art gallery with his series of animal-themed works, dubbed “London Zoo.” Starting August 5, the artist has created a new piece each day, concluding the cycle with his ninth creation: a gorilla freeing other animals on one of the shutters at the entrances to the London Zoo.
The Artwork and the Zoo Director’s Reaction
The new work, a black stencil depicting a gorilla opening the zoo fence to let out a seal and some birds, was met with surprise by the facility’s director, Karl Penman. “It was an absolute shock and surprise,” Penman said, adding that the piece is “absolutely brilliant.” The mural, which has drawn a crowd of visitors, will be preserved, and the gate will remain closed to allow onlookers to admire the artwork.
An Authenticated Piece and Part of an Iconic Series
As with all other works in the series, this one too has been authenticated by the artist himself through the publication of a photo on Banksy’s official Instagram account.
In this series, Banksy brought a variety of animals to life across the British capital, starting with a goat teetering on Kew Bridge, followed by elephants in Chelsea, monkeys in Brick Lane, a wolf in Peckham (later stolen), pelicans in Walthamstow, a black cat in Cricklewood, piranhas in Ludgate Hill, a rhinoceros in Charlton, and finally the gorilla at the London Zoo. Each artwork was unveiled daily, creating great anticipation and curiosity among the public and the artist’s fans.
The “London Zoo” series by Banksy not only captured the city’s attention but also conveyed a powerful message about the importance of animal freedom, reflecting the typical blend of social critique and visual art for which the artist is known.