A new Banksy mural just hours old was stolen from a rooftop in Peckham in Southern London—in a heist fit for the shadiest Leonardo ever—this morning. The work with its image of a howling wolf, Banksy’s signature stencil, was unveiled on the artist’s Instagram account on Thursday but quickly ended up in the hands of thieves.
The Heist Caught on Camera
Video has since been released that shows three men scaling a ladder on the side of the building where the piece was displayed. The three are seen pulling the satellite dish down and stealing it. The claim-jumping of the bold caper erupted, amid fears that public art is insecure—especially pieces from celebrated artists such as Banksy, which frequently falls prey to vandals and thieves.
Banksy’s Latest London Series
It was the fourth Banksy artwork to have been created in London in just a week — a blistering streak, even by the mysterious artist’s standards. The first, a goat on a wall near Kew Bridge in Richmond, was seen on Monday. On Tuesday night two elephants with trunks that entwine, were graffitied onto the side of a home in Chelsea. Third piece, three monkeys swinging on a railway bridge in East London (published Wednesday)
Possible Political Commentary
Based in Bristol, but now an international name, Banksy is famous for using his art to provide social and political commentary. Since then, t here has been an online murmur tha this new set of animal-themed work might be in response to recent events – far right riots across the UK or the so-called civil war brewing in the Middle East. As is the case with much of his work, Banksy’s art frequently comments on our most pressing global challenges through visceral and provocative imagery meant to draw a broad cross-section of humanity into the conversation.
Previous Acts of Vandalism
Whenever Banksy work has to come London, the worse been happens. Last March, a nature-themed mural that the artist painted in the Finsbury Park area of North London was defaced with squirts of white paint. The building’s owner then took steps to secure the work, putting up wooden barricades and plastic sheets that would shatter the fall. But not completely.
The Mystery of Banksy’s Identity
Although many people throughout the world know who Banksy is, no one knows his real identity. Born c. 1975, the artist first appeared on the radar in the late ’90s with his signature graffiti and iconic imagery. Over the years there have been many a rumor and theory on who Banksy could be but it has never really been proven up until this moment.
The nature of the Peckham artwork theft reflects some of the difficulties in preserving street art — even that carrying with it both the cultural and literal price tag a name like Banksy commands on today’s market.
Feature Image: The piece was sprayed onto a satellite dish in Peckham| Courtesy: Sky News
