‘Banksy Woz Ere.’ London Zoo Is The Latest To Remove Street Artist’s Animal Mural For Protection

LONDON — The gorilla and other animals that looked to have escaped from the London Zoo in Banksy’s most recent work have been brought into protective custody.

The zoo says it removed the elusive street artist’s artwork from its gate on Friday evening to preserve it and return its entrance to normal operation after crowds flocked to see it over five days last week.

It was adorned with a copy of the piece and a placard in British slang that read: “Banksy woz ere.”

“We’re thrilled by the joy this artwork has already brought to so many, but primarily, we’re incredibly grateful to Banksy, for putting wildlife in the spotlight,” said Kathryn England, the zoo’s chief operating officer, on its website. “This has become a significant moment in our history that we’re keen to properly preserve.”

‘Banksy Woz Ere.’ London Zoo Is The Latest To Remove Street Artist’s Animal Mural For Protection

The stencil-painted sculpture depicted an ape holding up a portion of the roll-down gate, allowing birds to fly away and a sea lion to paddle away, as three sets of eyes gazed out from the darkness inside.

The artist’s final animal-themed installation appeared throughout London for nine days in a row. It is also the most recent one to vanish from the public eye.

The interpretation of works by the artist known for making political remarks has been hotly discussed online. The zoo stated the mural spurred thought-provoking conversations with people ranging from 5-year-olds to Banksy fans. Some speculated that it was a play on guerrilla art or a commentary on the function of zoos.

A Banksy official told the Observer that the project was meant to be uplifting and entertaining during difficult times.

Banksy, who began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, has become one of the world’s most famous artists despite maintaining his anonymity. His paintings and installations sell for millions of dollars at auction, attracting thieves and vandals.

The zoo mural is at least the fifth in the animal series to be removed, vandalized, or relocated for security reasons.

Masked guys photographed a howling wolf painted on a satellite dish that appeared to be silhouetted against a full moon hours after the artist confirmed it was his work by publishing photographs of it on his Instagram page. A crew demolished a decrepit old billboard featuring a large cat reaching out while bystanders jeered.

According to the BBC, the billboard’s owner told authorities that it would be reconstructed at an art exhibition.

A rhinoceros painted on a brick wall that appeared to be mounting a broken-down Nissan parked on the sidewalk was defaced with graffiti, and the automobile was removed.

The City of London removed a small police guard station with a circular school of piranhas painted on its windows, resembling a fish tank. A spokeswoman stated that it would eventually be displayed for public viewing.

Jasper Tordoff, a Banksy specialist at MyArtBroker, told The Associated Press that he loved the idea that the last painting in the series might have revealed that all the other animals spotted around London—elephants, a goat, monkeys, and pelicans—came from the zoo.

However, he added that the artist, who is well aware of the attention each of his works receives, may have anticipated a public reaction that went beyond mere praise.

‘Banksy Woz Ere.’ London Zoo Is The Latest To Remove Street Artist’s Animal Mural For Protection

“He might also be making a comment on our human nature to desire to own things, even if that means breaking the law,” Tordoff told reporters. “But then also in quite a nice way to also try and look after these pieces and preserve them.”

The zoo, which had secured the mural while it was on exhibit behind a see-through plastic barrier and monitored by security officials, has not announced its plans for the piece.

However, its removal indicates that the work, like the animals, is being conserved. If it is put back on display, it may be kept inside the zoo, where it can be seen but not touched.

SOURCE | AP