The shutters of London Zoo have become the canvas for Banksy’s latest masterpiece, confirming it as the grand finale of his animal-themed street art project sweeping across London. The artwork, unveiled on the ninth day of the series, depicts a gorilla lifting the shutter at London Zoo, liberating a sea lion and several birds while other animals watch from within.
This spray-painted mural marks the culmination of Banksy’s nine-day series, which has seen the elusive artist grace London with a new animal-inspired work each day. According to the BBC, Banksy’s team confirmed that this gorilla-themed piece will be the final work in the series. Previous pieces in the series include a rhino mounted on a silver Nissan Micra, a pair of pelicans adorning the side of a fish shop in Walthamstow, east London, and a howling wolf silhouette painted on a satellite dish atop a garage in Peckham, London. The wolf design, however, was removed by unidentified men within hours of its verification.
While the meaning behind the project has been the subject of much speculation, Banksy reportedly stated that his intention was to lift the public’s spirit during a period of challenging news headlines. He also aimed to highlight the human capacity for creative play over destruction and negativity.
Banksy’s London animal series follows a controversial stunt in June involving an imitation migrant boat crowd surfing during performances by indie punk band Idles and rapper Stormzy. Former Home Secretary James Cleverly criticized the stunt for “trivialising” small boats crossings, describing the artistic action as “vile”. In response to Cleverly’s comments, Banksy stated that it was the “real boat” he funds – the MV Louise Michel – being detained by Italian authorities, after it had rescued 17 unaccompanied children at sea, that he found “vile and unacceptable”.
The artist, whose identity remains a mystery, continues to stir conversations and inspire awe with his thought-provoking art. The gorilla-themed mural at London Zoo serves as a powerful reminder of the power of art to uplift, provoke, and challenge, while leaving an indelible mark on the urban landscape.
