“Banksy has become part of the London scene and it’s really nice to share his iconic status with one of the most iconic zoos in the world,” says the zoo’s animal keeper.
A new, “absolutely brilliant” work by Banksy that has appeared at London Zoo is attracting attention.
“We are very honoured that he chose to use our shutters this morning to display one of his incredible works of art,” Daniel Simmonds, animal operations manager at London Zoo, told BBC News.
On Tuesday, a work by Banksy depicting a gorilla lifting a curtain to help a hummingbird, a seal and other flying animals escape, while three pairs of eyes stare out from behind the curtain in the dark, was installed on the zoo’s shutters. The artist posted a photo of it on Instagram this morning.
According to the BBC, zoo staff had no idea that the latest work in Banksy’s series depicting animals from across the city would be targeted.
The first image in the series appeared on August 5. It showed rocks crumbling beneath a goat standing on a pillar.
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In addition, there are seven other animal-themed artworks spread throughout the city. These include the following:
- A rhino mates with a real car
- A wolf howls at the moon
- Pelicans eat fish on the facade of a fish bar
- Two elephants stare at each other while their heads and trunks protrude from window frames
- Piranhas swim on the glass of a police emergency call box
- A big cat stretches on a blank billboard that was removed just hours after it was put up, The Guardian reports.
- Monkeys swinging over a bridge
Zoo plans to preserve works of art
“Banksy has become part of the London scene and it’s really nice to share his iconic status with one of the most iconic zoos in the world,” said Simmonds, who expects thousands of visitors to the zoo today.
The BBC reports that the shutter will remain closed throughout the day and the zoo will instead open two others to allow people into the zoo.
“We are so honored that he chose to use our shutters this morning to display one of his incredible works of art,” said Simmonds.
Contributor: James Powel, USA TODAY
Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered a variety of topics, from local business and government in her hometown of Miami to technology and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram And TikTok: @juliamariegz
