A new statue has appeared on Waterloo Place in central London, with the signature of the elusive street artist Banksy etched into its plinth.
In an Instagram on 30 April, Banksy confirmed to his 13.8m followers that he is indeed the artist behind the work and shared footage of its nighttime installation with the aid of a large crane. The Art Newspaper contacted the artist for comment but has not received a response.
Sightings of the statue were first reported on Wednesday 29 April. The work depicts a suited man carrying a large flag which covers his face, blinding him as he steps forward halfway off of the plinth. The colouration of the statue and its plinth reflect the bronze and granite monuments nearby on the plaza-like road, including the Duke of York Column, the Guards Crimean War memorial, and statues of nurse Florence Nightingale and statesman Lord Lea.
Waterloo Place in central London, where a new, seemingly unauthorised statue has been erected
Photo: Patrick Slezak. Courtesy Adobe Stock
Waterloo Place, where the statue remains at time of publishing, is located in the St James’s neighbourhood, home to various gentlemen’s clubs and art and luxury businesses, and situated close to the many government buildings and foreign embassies of Westminster.
The British artist, whose identity has been the subject of much speculation and investigation, has been increasingly active in the UK capital over the last two years. In summer 2024, a series of stencilled animal silhouettes appeared across the city and on a London Zoo building. In September 2025, Banksy drew controversy for an unauthorised mural at the Royal Courts of Justice, which was quickly removed by the HM Courts and Tribunals Service.