London Zoo Remove Banksy Artwork For "Safekeeping"
A Banksy artwork that recently appeared on the shutters of London Zoo has been removed for "safekeeping," sparking conversation and speculation among fans of the elusive street artist.
The mural, which depicted a gorilla lifting a shutter to release a sea lion and birds, was the ninth and final piece in a series of animal-themed artworks that Banksy had created across London over nine consecutive days.
The zoo announced on social media that the artwork was taken down on Friday evening to preserve it and to return the zoo’s entrance to full operation during its busy summer period.
The original piece has been replaced with a replica, accompanied by a sign that reads, "Banksy woz ere," along with an apology to disappointed visitors.
"We're thrilled by the joy this artwork has already brought to so many," said Kathryn England, the zoo's chief operating officer. She expressed gratitude to Banksy for putting wildlife in the spotlight and emphasised the importance of preserving this significant moment in the zoo's history.
The mural had quickly become a major attraction, drawing crowds to the zoo. To protect the artwork during its brief public display, zoo officials had installed a clear plastic shield over it and stationed security officers nearby. Despite the mural's removal, London Zoo has not yet decided on its final fate, though they are determined to preserve it.
Banksy’s recent series has ignited various interpretations, with some speculating that the mural could be an "anti-zoo message" or a tribute to London Zoo. Others see it as a clever commentary on guerrilla art, with the gorilla possibly symbolising Banksy himself.
Jasper Tordoff, a Banksy expert at MyArtBroker, suggested that the final mural could be the revelation that all the other animals depicted across London might have "escaped" from the zoo.
Zoo piece is ninth animal work to be produced by Banksy in nine days
This latest artwork is part of a broader series by Banksy that has captivated Londoners, featuring animals such as a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, a cat, piranhas, and a rhinoceros.
The removal of the London Zoo mural follows a trend of other Banksy artworks in this series being taken down for protection or stolen. For example, a silhouette of elephants in Chelsea’s Edith Grove has been defaced, while others, like the wolf on a satellite dish in Peckham, were stolen shortly after they were unveiled.
As fans and art lovers continue to speculate about the meanings behind these works, the legacy of Banksy’s animal-themed series remains uncertain, with some pieces lost and others securely preserved.
