Banksy Confirms New Statue in Central London

Street artist Banksy has confirmed responsibility for a new sculpture installed in central London, featuring a suited man striding off a plinth with his face obscured by a billowing flag.

The work appeared in Waterloo Place, St James’s, in the early hours of April 29, 2026. Banksy confirmed the piece was his through a video posted to his Instagram account on the afternoon of April 30, 2026.

The sculpture depicts a man in a suit marching forward from a plinth, carrying a large flag that covers his face. The artist’s signature was etched into the base of the plinth.

Location and Symbolic Context

The statue is situated in an area of Westminster specifically designed to celebrate military dominance and imperialism during the 1800s. We see positioned near the Crimean War Memorial and statues of Florence Nightingale and Edward VII.

When commenting on the sculpture’s placement on the ceremonial island in Waterloo Place, Banksy stated: There was a bit of a gap.

The confirmation video posted by the artist shows the sculpture being towed into the Westminster area during the night. The footage juxtaposes the new work with images of a black cab, a Beefeater soldier, British flags, and a nearby statue of Winston Churchill.

In the social media clip, a man is asked for his opinion on the statue, to which he responds, no, I don’t like it.

Public and Official Response

Crowds gathered at the site following the sculpture’s appearance. Some viewers interpreted the work as a political commentary.

Ollie Isaac, a 23-year-old student, described the work as brilliant, suggesting it served as a response to the resurgence of nationalism in the world and this country. He further noted that the suit worn by the figure screams politician.

Lynette Cloraleigh, a 55-year-old teacher, said she liked the piece and found it intriguing how it got here.

Westminster City Council, the authority responsible for the area, issued a statement regarding the installation:

We’re excited to see Banksy’s latest sculpture in Westminster, making a striking addition to the city’s vibrant public art scene.

Westminster City Council

Contractors were observed erecting safety barriers around the sculpture on the afternoon of April 30, 2026.

Banksy’s History with Sculpture

While primarily known for graffiti and stencil art, Banksy has produced sculptures in the past. In 2004, he installed a piece titled The Drinker on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s West End.

That previous work was a parody of Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker and was removed shortly after it was erected.