Banksy’s quick-fire nature series has continued to grow with a new animal-themed artwork unveiled above a fish and chip shop in east London.
A silhouette of two pelicans, one plucking a fish from the sign of Bonners Fish Bar in Walthamstow, appeared on Friday morning, with the British artist claiming credit by posting a photo on Instagram.
This is the fifth animal artwork in five days by the artist, following an Ibex goat in Kew on Monday, a pair of elephants in Chelsea on Tuesday, three monkeys swinging from a bridge over Brick Lane on Wednesday and a howling wolf painted onto a satellite dish in Peckham, which has since been removed by a group wearing balaclavas.
Bonners Fish Bar posted their appreciation on Instagram: “So proud to have a @banksy on the side of our shop! Thank you for choosing us, and Walthamstow for showcasing your talent.”
There has been speculation as to the meaning of the series. Some have suggested it might be a comment on the impact of humans on biodiversity, with last year’s landmark State of Nature report describing the UK as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.
Posting on Facebook, the charity Wild Welfare said the works highlighted the need for zoos and aquariums to provide captive animals the opportunity to express their natural instincts. “We believe it acts as a powerful reminder, highlighting the importance of providing enriched environments for captive wildlife,” it said. “This inspired street art wonderfully depicts some natural behaviours of these amazing animals—a goat climbing, elephants socialising, gibbon brachiation (swinging) and a wolf vocalising.”
This week’s animal collection follows another nature-themed mural revealed by Banksy in March. For that work, the artist spread green paint on a wall in Finsbury Park, north London, behind a heavily pruned tree, creating the impression of missing foliage.
Giovanna Iozzi, founder of the Haringey Tree Protectors group, wrote in the Guardian at the time that she was grateful to the artist for highlighting the harm done to urban tree by pruning or “pollarding” them. She wrote: “But to me, his stark image communicates something much deeper—how we damage ourselves if we continue to allow or ignore the assault on urban nature. In the climate crisis we just can’t continue treating our tree canopy with such savagery.”
