London has been captivated by a series of animal murals created by the elusive street artist Banksy, appearing in various locations across the city. The phenomenon began on August 5th with the depiction of a mountain goat precariously perched on a wall, followed by two elephants gazing at each other through a window, three monkeys tightrope-walking over the Brick Lane Bridge, and most recently, a wolf howling at the moon while standing on a satellite dish.
These artworks have been shared sequentially on Banksy's Instagram without accompanying explanations. Despite this silence, the pieces have sparked widespread interpretation among the public and art critics alike. Some commentators suggest that the murals may be a commentary on the violent far-right riots that have recently occurred in the UK, drawing parallels between the unruly mobs and the animals depicted. Others believe that Banksy is raising awareness about endangered species and the destruction of natural habitats due to human activity.
Amid the intrigue and speculation surrounding these murals, an unfortunate incident has also occurred. The latest mural, featuring the wolf howling on a satellite dish, was stolen just hours after its completion. Two masked men were seen dismantling the satellite dish and making off with it, and their identities remain unknown at this time.
Simultaneously, another Banksy mural has appeared at the London Zoo, further fueling public interest. This mural, discovered at the zoo’s entrance, portrays a gorilla lifting the entrance gate, birds taking flight, and a sea lion waddling away. Three sets of eyes peer out from the darkness inside, adding to the mural's enigmatic nature.
Banksy’s animal murals have been appearing across London daily, with each one tagged with the hashtag #LondonZoo on Instagram. Dan Simmonds, the animal operations manager at London Zoo, expressed his surprise and honor at the zoo being chosen as a canvas for Banksy’s work. "We certainly didn’t expect it to happen right here, on one of our admission shutters," Simmonds said, adding that the mural's appearance was a pleasant surprise.
As Banksy's series of murals continue to unfold, speculation abounds regarding the meaning behind the artwork and what other animals might appear in the streets of London. Beyond their artistic value, Banksy's works continue to engage the public with social commentary and a sense of mystery, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating his next creation.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
