Nine days of work, but what does that mean?

Speculation over inspiration behind Banksy’s nine-piece series persists

PA Media A man looks at Banksy's artwork of a black gorilla on a silver metal shutter, as women walk past unfocused — Speculation over inspiration behind Banksy’s nine-piece series persists

Famous graffiti artist Banksy has concluded his animal tour after nine days of ephemeral works scattered across the capital ended with an article on the shutters of London Zoo.

Although all the surprise pieces have been revealed, speculation about their inspiration persists. What do they mean and how have they been received by the art and graffiti world?

Banksy’s latest work, outside London Zoo in Camden, north London, shows a gorilla lifting the shutter to release a sea lion and birds, while other animals appear to watch from inside.

But the art series was launched with an August 5 piece appearing to show a goat perched on a ledge as rocks fall on a wall in Kew Green in Richmond, southwest London.

This work was quickly followed on August 6 by a work depicting two elephants stretching their trunks, and three monkeys hanging from a railway bridge in Brick Lane, east London, on August 7.

By the third day, speculation was rife online as to whether the series had a deeper meaning.

Could the black goat be about being on the precipice of something bigger?

PA Media The black silhouette of a goat stands on the external structural support of a building with black-painted rocks falling down, and a CCTV camera points in its direction. — Could the black goat be about being on the precipice of something bigger?

Perhaps the goat was a metaphor for being on the brink of a moment of change, or perhaps the two elephants were crossing paths on opposite sides of the same place? Perhaps the three monkeys represented the “wise monkeys” in the Japanese proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”?

The Three Monkeys Hanging from a Bridge is one of the few works that has not been defaced or removed.

PA Media Three black monkeys appear to be hanging from a grey concrete railway bridge in Brick Lane — The Three Monkeys Hanging from a Bridge is one of the few works that has not been defaced or removed.

Theories have varied from the series centering on social division amid recent riots, Israel-Gaza conflict.

James Ryan, CEO of Grove Gallery, which sells Banksy originals and prints, told BBC London that he initially thought the works had “politically charged and motivated messages, so the goat – references to Palestine and Gaza, and then the wolf crying for help – a kind of persecution”.

However, since the final piece was revealed, he believes there is a theme of “incarceration; trapped animals” in the series.

The final work in the series shows a gorilla that made the “great escape” possible, which explains why there were animals all over London, says Banksy expert James Peak.

PA Media A black silhouette of a gorilla lifting a fence with a sea lion and birds in flight — The final work in the series shows a gorilla that made the “great escape” possible, which explains why there were animals all over London, says Banksy expert James Peak.

Mr Ryan added that while Banksy’s campaign included new elements, such as building momentum by posting a daily “teaser” on social media, there were also references to his previous work, with the gorilla piece recalling his 2006 work “Sweep It Under the Carpet” of a cleaner with a dustpan and brush, also painted in north London.

Mr Ryan said parallels could be drawn between Banksy’s gorilla work and his 2006 work Sweep It Under The Carpet.

Getty Images Sweep It Under The Carpet on a wall in Camden, depicting a black and white cleaner with a dustpan and brush appearing to lift a painted wall to expose the bricks behind — Mr Ryan said parallels could be drawn between Banksy’s gorilla work and his 2006 work Sweep It Under The Carpet.

His 2009 exhibition, Banksy Vs Bristol Museum, featured installations of animals performing human activities.

Getty Images An installation of a monkey in a black beret painted on an easel — His 2009 exhibition, Banksy Vs Bristol Museum, featured installations of animals performing human activities.

James Peak, presenter of the BBC show The story of Banksyexplained that the artist was “very concerned about animal welfare” and “helped Greenpeace in a campaign a few years ago.”

He said the artist had also incorporated environmental themes into his work in the past, writing cardboard signs and throwing them into monkey enclosures at Longleat and Melbourne Zoo in Australia, “so the monkeys were holding up pieces of cardboard saying things like ‘please help me, I’m the victim of a cruel science experiment’ or even ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here'”.

Banksy has long used rats, like this one believed to have been painted in 2004 and since partially covered by a “sticker tagger,” in his street art when he wants to make a political or social commentary.

Banksy's London Doesn't Work Rat is pictured on December 18, 2023 in London — Banksy has long used rats, like this one believed to have been painted in 2004 and since partially covered by a “sticker tagger,” in his street art when he wants to make a political or social commentary.

Sunday’s artwork, of piranhas in a police box, has been moved to Guildhall Yard for ‘safekeeping’

PA Media A City of London police station booth painted semi-opaque blue with piranhas in the water, next to green, red and white barriers and a worker in fluorescent yellow clothing — Sunday’s artwork, of piranhas in a police box, has been moved to Guildhall Yard for ‘safekeeping’

He added that Banksy’s campaigns “often only make sense in reverse.”

This series could simply represent “this great escape that the gorilla caused from London Zoo, which is why there are all these animals over London this last week,” he said.

Or it could have “a really serious reason – maybe we’re not doing enough to ensure that animals around the world have enough natural space,” he added.

The parts have not been without their share of problems either.

The howling wolf projected onto a satellite dish in Peckham, south-east London, was apparently taken by thieves.

Man walks away with satellite dish decorated by Banksy

PA Media Man walks away with satellite dish painted with silhouette of howling wolf — Man walks away with satellite dish decorated by Banksy

Two others were removed by London authorities, the first – a cat silhouette painted on a billboard on Edgware Road in Cricklewood – was dismantled for safety reasons.

The City of London Corporation said the other painting from August 11 – of swimming piranhas on a City of London police sentry box – had been removed to Guildhall Yard so it could be viewed safely.

The cat was removed by contractors, one of whom said it was in case someone “snatched it and left it dangerous”

PA Media A black silhouette of a stretching cat painted on an empty and dilapidated brown billboard — The cat was removed by contractors, one of whom said it was in case someone “snatched it and left it dangerous”

Two others were degradedincluding the two elephants which were spray painted with white stripes.

However, it was the vandalism of the penultimate artwork, of a rhino (originally riding a Nissan Micra with a traffic cone on its bonnet) in Charlton, south-east London, that rekindled an old feud between Banksy and his revered rival Robbo.

The word “SV,” which appears to stand for “South Vandals,” was spray-painted on Banksy’s rhino

A black and grey rhino rearing up on a light brick wall, with a white “SV” tag sprayed on it — The word “SV,” which appears to stand for “South Vandals,” was spray-painted on Banksy’s rhino

Ahmad Karkouti, of graffiti and street art podcast Arms House to your Mums House, told BBC London that the white S, or dollar sign, and the V sign represented a local graffiti crew called the South Vandals.

He added that he had received images of the damage with the message “South Vandals 4 life! Team Robbo”.

Mr Karkouti explained that the late Robbo, who was originally from London, had been inspired by the differences in how socially acceptable street art was appreciated compared to traditional graffiti, which was widely regarded as criminal damage.

While the hidden meanings and broader battles are still up for debate, one thing is clear to enthusiasts: Banksy has managed to grab the world’s attention – once again.

Mr Ryan said the series “had the desired effect that he wanted”, to “create this theatre” that “reaffirms” his status as a “pioneer”.

Mr. Peak agrees.

“This campaign lasted eight or nine days and it’s fantastic. All of London and the whole of the United Kingdom are talking about it.”