One of Banksy’s latest works, an image of two elephants nudging their heads out of blocked windows, has been cleaned up after being vandalised. The mural surfaced in Chelsea in August and was overpainted with white stripes before being painstakingly restored and protected with a unique “anti-graffiti solution.”
It was one of nine pieces that appeared across London over nine days in Summer, sparking speculation about their deeper meaning. Last week, council workers applied a solution to help retain the artwork’s appearance. Kensington and Chelsea Council hopes it will preserve the piece for years. Josh Rendall, a local representative for the area, said, “We hope that residents and visitors will enjoy this and our other Banksy piece on Portobello Road.”
Not all of Banksy’s works have fared so well. A howling wolf sprayed onto a Peckham satellite dish was stolen shortly after it was spotted. A Cricklewood billboard with a cat silhouette was removed for safety reasons. Piranhas in a City of London sentry box was moved to a site where it could be more safely viewed.
However, despite his global popularity, very little is known about Banksy’s real identity. An artist who came into prominence in the 1990s as a graffiti artist out of Bristol, Banksy’s inimitable style and poignant social commentary took over the world in no time. Gradually, he moved away from graffiti onto stencilled works, pieces that afforded him more detail and anonymity.
As in the Chelsea Elephants, his work often uses animals to convey deeply reflective messages that are emotionally and intellectually engaging. He champions animal rights and invites the audience to think about their significance. Whether it might be a goat symbolising the fight of humankind or playful monkeys playing through an urban jungle, nobody does this better than Banksy.
The murals he recently created have only added to Banksy’s mystique. Works often crop up overnight, adding to the mystery and excitement about these cultural events. Banksy keeps challenging and inspiring contemporary art with global fame, leaving everybody guessing what he will do next and promptly awaiting his next move.
Banksy began his career as a graffiti artist in the early 1990s in Bristol as part of the DryBreadZ Crew. Influenced by the works of Blek le Rat and the anarcho-punk culture, his early work was characterised by freehand graffiti with a solid social and political message. Over time, he adopted the stencilling technique that has become his hallmark, reportedly to cut down the time needed to paint his pieces and reduce the risk of being caught.
Banksy’s works have appeared in various locations around the globe, from the streets of London to the West Bank barrier in Israel. His art often features striking, humorous images and slogans that critique capitalism, war, and societal norms. Some of his most famous works include “Girl with Balloon,” “The Flower Thrower,” and “There Is Always Hope.”
In addition to street art, Banksy has ventured into the world of fine art and film. His documentary, “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Banksy has also staged several exhibitions, most notably “Dismaland,” a dystopian theme park in Weston-super-Mare, England, which drew significant attention and acclaim.
Despite his global fame, Banksy has maintained a shroud of anonymity, adding to the intrigue and allure surrounding his persona. His works often appear overnight, and their sudden emergence contributes to the surprise and excitement that his art generates. Through his anonymity and the impactful nature of his work, Banksy continues to challenge and inspire the world of contemporary art.
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Banksy, Banksy’s, Chelsea, Elephants, Restored
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