Banksy Installs Blind Patriotism Statue in Central London

Banksy has installed a new 25-foot-tall resin sculpture in central London, depicting a suited man blindly stepping off a plinth with a flag covering his face. The artwork mysteriously appeared overnight near statues of Edward VII and Florence Nightingale on Pall Mall, one of the busiest spots in Westminster.

According to Daily Mail, Banksy posted video clues on Instagram showing the installation process. The footage reveals yellow traffic cones marking off the area, a low-loader truck, stabilizers, a hydraulic crane, and workers in high-visibility vests carefully lowering the statue onto its plinth during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The 25-foot work is also positioned directly in front of a golden Athena statue and near to statues of Edward VII, Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War Memorial. The statue's appearance has sparked fierce debate about its meaning, with some interpreting it as commentary on blind patriotism or leadership.

Westminster Council told BBC it did not grant permission for the installation as it was not given advance warning. A council spokesperson stated they were considering their options but would allow the public to view and enjoy the artwork for now. This is not Banksy's first large-scale installation in London, with previous works including murals near Centre Point Tower and outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

The statue appeared in public just as King Charles III made a state visit to Washington, D.C., New York City, and Virginia, during which the king and Queen Camilla were feted by President Trump at a state dinner. During this visit, the British royal addressed Congress, arguing for the importance of NATO.

By Thursday,a video about the piece had been published on Banksy's Instagram account, confirming it as his work. It is unclear whether or not the artist received official permission for the installation; in an email to New York Times, a representative for the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan,wrote: 'Banksy has a great ability to inspire people from a range of backgrounds to enjoy modern art. 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.'

On Friday, Westminster City Council said in a statement, shared with the Associated Press, that they have no plans to remove the piece, writing: 'We welcome Banksy's latest sculpture in Westminster, which makes a striking addition to the city's vibrant public art scene. While we have ‌taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view and enjoy.'

A former BBC reporter who claims he caught Banksy painting a mural in New York confessed that the corporation helped keep the artist's identity a secret. Nick Bryant, the BBC's former New York correspondent, said he saw a man coming out of a coffee shop near a newly completed mural in 2018. The corporation's cameraman filmed the encounter as the frazzled artist made his escape.

According to Daily Mail, when Mr. Bryant called his bosses in London to tell them about his world exclusive, he received an unexpected response. 'Minutes later, a phone call came through from London,' Mr. Bryant said. 'A senior colleague told me that his daughter had accompanied him to work that day, and thought it was wrong to unveil.'

Banksy's identity remains unconfirmed despite investigations suggesting he is Bristol-based Robin Gunningham, though this has been denied.