A new statue by Banksy has appeared on Waterloo Place in central London. The statue depicts a suited man carrying a large flag that covers his face. Banksy confirmed he is the artist behind the statue on his Instagram account.
The statue was first reported on April 29, 2026. Its plinth has Banksy’s signature etched into it, adding to the authenticity of the piece. The statue reflects the bronze and granite monuments nearby, including the Duke of York Column and Florence Nightingale.
Banksy has been increasingly active in London over the last two years. In summer 2024, he created a series of stencilled animal silhouettes across the city. In September 2025, he produced an unauthorised mural at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Observers have noted that this latest piece continues Banksy’s tradition of provoking thought through street art. One commentator remarked, “I love that he appears when enough time has passed to forget, and arrives with full force unnoticed.” Another added, “As a long-time Banksy collector, this one really hits. Big monument energy, but the idea is brutally simple: a suited figure blinded by its own flag. Classic Banksy. Quiet at first, then impossible to unsee.”
Officials have not disclosed plans for the statue’s future or any potential interactions with local government buildings or foreign embassies nearby.
