After the statue attracted crowds of curious passers-by, Banksy confirmed its authorship by posting a video on his Instagram account. The work is placed strategically in front of the gilded sculpture of Athena on the facade of the Athenaeum Club.
James Peake, creator of the BBC podcast series The Banksy Story, commented that the details in the sculpture are symbolic – the powerful man is depicted in the prime of his power, but the flag obscuring his view makes him literally look like he is about to fall from the pedestal. “Banksy has delivered another fantastic shot … his positioning is absolutely knockout,” Peake said. “We have to face the fact that Britain has an imperial history full of expansion, and part of that is a kind of extreme nationalism that Banksy absolutely detests. Every piece of his work is a campaign,” he explains.
This is not the first surprise of the artist in London in the last year. In December, a mural of two children appeared in Bayswater, and in September, Banksy confirmed he was the author of the scene at the Royal Courts complex – a protester holding a blood-splattered placard in front of a judge. In 2024, the artist also created a whole series of animals on the outskirts of the British capital, including a goat, elephants, gorillas and other exotic species.
All these works are installed secretly and their authorship is subsequently confirmed via Banksy’s Instagram account. The works appear on both private buildings and public spaces, and are often interpreted as political manifestos. Usually, soon after their appearance, they are removed by the authorities.
