The artist’s latest piece features a man holding a massive flag that is blowing in his face.

Recently unmasked artist Banksy erects politically charged statue — with its face hidden — in central London

The artist's latest piece features a man holding a massive flag that is blowing in his face.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

April 30, 2026 9:40 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Banksy's new statue in Waterloo Place in London on April 30, 2026. Credit:

Lucy North/PA Images via Getty

- Banksy installed a statue of a man with a flag covering his face in central London.

- Representatives for the mayor of London and Westminster City Council both responded to the piece via statements.

- A recent Reuters report claimed to have proven Banksy's identity "beyond dispute."

Banksy has unveiled his latest piece of public art.

The mysterious street artist erected a new statue on Waterloo Place in the St James's district of Westminster in central London on Wednesday.

The politically charged piece features a man wearing a suit stepping off of a platform as he holds a massive nondescript flag with his outstretched right arm. The flag is blowing back toward the man, completely covering his face — and thus obscuring his vision, blinding him toward the potential peril that he's about to step into.

Banksy's mural 'Sweeping It Under the Carpet' in London on May 16, 2006.

Jim Dyson/Getty

Banksy's representatives told the BBC that the statue was installed on Wednesday morning, and the outlet reported that contractors surrounded the piece with safety barriers on Thursday.

"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 told the BBC. "While we have taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view and enjoy."

Banksy also shared a video of the piece being installed on Instagram on Thursday. After showing several images of the crew transporting the statue to Waterloo Place and placing it with a crane, the video ends with footage of an older man offering his two cents as he observes the statue.

"I don't like it," he says before pointing to another statue in the area. "That's a nice statue up there. I prefer that."

Henry Winkler reveals his 1 issue with Milwaukee's Fonzie statue: 'Pisses me off'

Kevin Hart shocked by his new Hollywood wax figure: 'This is an attack'

Waterloo Place features a number of other monuments celebrating British military victory, including the towering Duke of York Column and statues of Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott and Crimean War figures Sidney Herbert and Florence Nightingale.

A representative for London's Mayor Sadiq Khan responded to the piece in a statement to *The New York Times*. "Banksy has a great ability to inspire people from a range of backgrounds to enjoy modern art," the statement said. "His work always draws great interest and debate, and the mayor is hopeful that his latest piece can be preserved for Londoners and visitors to enjoy."

It remains unclear if Banksy received official approval to install the piece.

Banksy's mural in Horenka, Ukraine, on Feb. 22, 2023.

Evgen Kotenko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing/Getty

In September, the artist — who is primarily known for his mural work — painted a mural on the Royal Courts of Justice building that depicted a judge attacking a protestor, which many interpreted as a commentary on the government labeling the Palestine Action group as a terrorist organization. The piece was removed two days after its installation, and a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice justified the removal by citing British heritage laws that protect court buildings.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Banksy recently made headlines when a new report by Reuters claimed that journalists had proven the identity of the anonymous artist "beyond dispute," alleging that the muralist's real name is Robin Gunningham.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Entertainment Industry Roles

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Artists”