Explaining the mystery behind Banksy's animal art

Bangkok Post Group

Nine animal-themed Banksy murals that recently appeared in London have left many pondering the meaning behind the elusive street artist's latest work. Here's a look at the mystery behind the artist and his art. - REUTERS

Transcript

00:00His identity is shrouded in mystery, but his art appears in the most public of places.

00:07Renowned British street artist Banksy has created the ninth and perhaps final mural

00:13of his animal-themed art trail across London.

00:16A gorilla freeing a sea lion and birds appeared on the doorstep of the London Zoo.

00:21Staff say they will keep the mural preserved, as it has already delighted crowds of people.

00:27The series began with a mountain goat, then elephants, monkeys and a wolf on a satellite

00:32dish, which was stolen within hours of being unveiled.

00:36Then came pelicans above a fish and chip shop, a cat, a fish tank on a police box and a rhino.

00:44Banksy has claimed all of these murals on his Instagram account, which has some 13 million

00:49followers.

00:51And yet he follows no one.

00:53The BBC, citing Banksy's team, said the gorilla artwork was the final piece of the series.

00:59Banksy's team did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

01:04Executive Director of New York's Banksy Museum, William Mead, told Reuters in May that mystery

01:10is a common thread throughout his work.

01:12Banksy is one of the most unusual artists because not only is he elusive in terms of

01:18who and what he is, but also he was never, no one knows exactly where he came from or

01:25what he's doing.

01:27The wonderful thing about Banksy is that there's no laws, there's no, you know, he doesn't

01:32want anybody telling you what to do or how to experience the art.

01:35But some speculate Banksy, who has highlighted themes of war and climate change in his previous

01:41work, could be relating animals to the riots and racist attacks that have recently swept

01:47the UK.

01:49Other theories on social media suggest these murals point to the downfall of humanity.

01:54One user wrote,

01:55Humanity is not going to last.

01:58Animals will be taking over.

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