Banksy Art Removed Shortly After Reveal
- Banksy revealed a new cat-inspired artwork in northwest London.
- The piece was taken down soon after its unveiling.
- This action raises questions about the preservation and ownership of street art.
A contractor faced backlash from onlookers as he removed Banksy's latest artwork just hours after it was unveiled. The piece, depicting a silhouette of a stretching cat, was installed on an advertising hoarding on Edgware Road in Cricklewood, northwest London, and confirmed by Banksy earlier that day. This artwork is part of a new series featuring animal images that the elusive street artist has been releasing throughout the week. The contractor, identified only as Marc, explained that the billboard was scheduled for removal on Monday, but the decision was expedited to Saturday to prevent potential vandalism. He stated he would store the artwork for Banksy, should the artist wish to reclaim it. However, the billboard's owner informed police that he intends to donate the piece to an art gallery, as confirmed by an officer at the scene. In the days following the cat silhouette, Banksy confirmed additional works, including two elephants in Chelsea and three monkeys swinging from a train bridge over Brick Lane. Other pieces included pelicans in Walthamstow and a wolf in Peckham, the latter of which was stolen shortly after its appearance. The contractor lamented the fleeting nature of the artwork, expressing disappointment that it could not remain for longer than an hour. The Metropolitan Police reported that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, while Banksy continues to face criticism from public figures regarding the themes of his work.