A new statue has appeared on Waterloo Place in central London, bearing the signature of elusive street artist Banksy. The artwork depicts a suited man carrying a large flag that covers his face, stepping off a plinth, and blends with nearby bronze and granite monuments. Sightings were first reported on Wednesday 29 April, but how and when the statue was erected in this busy intersection remains unknown. Banksy has not yet posted the work on his Instagram account, his usual method of authentication, though crowds have already gathered.
This matters because Banksy's unauthorised public works consistently generate global attention and debate about street art, public space, and institutional authority. The statue appears in a politically and culturally significant location near government buildings and gentlemen's clubs, suggesting a pointed commentary on power, visibility, or national identity. If authenticated, it would continue Banksy's recent pattern of high-profile London interventions, including a controversial mural at the Royal Courts of Justice in September 2025 that was quickly removed.