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 his authorship on his Instagram account.
The statue was first reported on April 29, 2026. Its plinth bears Banksy’s signature etched into it. The artwork 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.
Commentators have begun to analyze the statue’s meaning. One said, “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.” Another remarked, “I love that he appears when enough time has passed to forget, and arrives with full force unnoticed.”
The public response is mixed as discussions unfold about its implications for street art and public monuments. Observers are curious how this piece will be received within the context of other government buildings and foreign embassies nearby.