Day 1 - Goat
(August 5, 2024)
BANKSY recently unveiled a series of animal-themed murals in London, close to the zoo, between August 6th and August 13th, 2024. This surprise campaign involved nine distinct artworks, each addressing various themes involving animals, their captivity, and human interaction with nature. This "Concrete Jungle Safari" proves once again that, with just a stencil and a sprinkle of wit, this elusive artist can turn brick walls into global conversations. In a world where we humans often pretend to be more than monkeys, Banksy masterfully reminds us, through playful pelicans and cheeky monkeys, that we may be taking ourselves a bit too seriously. DAY 1: GOAT (August 5, 2024)
The first mural featured a goat perched precariously on a rocky ledge, symbolizing vulnerability and the fragile balance between animals and urban environments. Located in Chelsea, the image sparked conversations about animals being out of place in cityscapes, possibly reflecting broader environmental concerns. DAY 2: ELEPHANTS (August 6, 2024)
This mural in southwest London depicted two elephants peering through blocked-out windows, with their trunks almost touching. The work suggested themes of confinement, isolation, and the yearning for connection, mirroring how animals are often confined in unnatural environments. DAY 3: MONKEYS (August 7, 2024)
This piece, painted on a railway bridge in Brick Lane, showed three monkeys swinging as if carefree, yet placed in an industrial urban landscape. The contrast between their playful imagery and their harsh surroundings possibly critiques the displacement of wildlife due to
urbanization.
A more controversial mural in Peckham featured a wolf howling at the moon on a satellite dish. It was soon stolen, raising questions about the commercialization and commodification of street art. The wolf, a symbol of wildness, may have been a nod to nature's rebellion against human control. DAY 5: PELICANS (August 9, 2024)
Above a fish and chip shop in Walthamstow, Banksy painted two pelicans eyeing fish. This humorous piece appeared to play with the idea of animals being out of place, possibly hinting at our relationship with food and consumption. DAY 6: BIG CAT (August 10, 2024)
This mural of a cat stretching was painted on a billboard in Cricklewood but was swiftly removed for safety reasons. Cats are often seen as symbols of independence and mystery, perhaps contrasting with the theme of captivity present in other murals. DAY 7: PIRANHAS (August 10, 2024)
On Ludgate Hill, near St. Paul's Cathedral, Banksy transformed a City of London police sentry box into an aquarium filled with translucent piranhas. This artwork hints at the hidden dangers lurking beneath seemingly calm surfaces, perhaps reflecting the tension between law enforcement and societal control. DAY 8: RHINOCEROS (August 12, 2024)
Located in Charlton, a humorous piece showed a rhino climbing onto a car, with a traffic cone placed on its head. This quirky image played with the absurdity of placing animals in human contexts, possibly commenting on how urban life can disrupt natural instincts. DAY 9: GORILLA (August 13, 2024)
The final mural, painted at the London Zoo's gate, depicted a gorilla lifting the shutters to free a sea lion and birds, symbolizing liberation. This poignant piece brought the whole series full circle, addressing themes of captivity, freedom, and the right of animals to escape the constraints humans impose on them.
DAY 4: WOLF (August 8, 2024)
Overall, Banksy's intention with this series was to provide moments of amusement and
reflection, offering a light-hearted yet thought-provoking commentary on the way animals are
treated in urban spaces and zoos. The campaign resonated with viewers, drawing large crowds
and intense media attention. The murals sparked discussions about animal rights, conservation,
and our role in the natural world, with Banksy's characteristic wit and social critique evident in
each piece. Banksy's work shows that art, no matter how simple or fleeting, has the power to
provoke thought, laughter, and even action. In the end, his murals remind us that a well-placed
monkey or piranha can say more about society than the thickest of books, a truth that we, as
sophisticated primates, would do well to remember.
Sebastien Laboureau
CEO Intelliart
