Banksy, the enigmatic street artist, has unveiled his seventh and most striking artwork in London this week, turning a glass police sentry box near The Old Bailey into a vibrant aquarium filled with swimming piranhas. The piece, revealed on Sunday, has quickly become a focal point of the artist’s latest series of animal-themed works scattered across the city.
The piranha artwork, located on Ludgate Hill, is unique among Banksy’s recent creations. While his earlier pieces—depicting goats, monkeys, elephants, a wolf, pelicans, and a cat—were largely silhouetted designs, this latest work showcases intricate details rendered with translucent spray paint, making the police box appear as though it houses a school of piranhas swimming in water.
The City of London Police acknowledged the artwork as “criminal damage” and are currently working with the City of London Corporation, which owns the sentry box, to determine how best to preserve it. Crowds quickly gathered to view the piece, prompting authorities to install barriers to protect the artwork and manage foot traffic in the busy area.
Local residents and visitors have praised the artwork, with one onlooker describing it as “subtle yet captivating.” Artist Daniel Lloyd-Morgan, who has been documenting Banksy’s recent works, noted the positive impact the artist’s creations have had on London’s atmosphere. “There’s a real buzz around his work right now,” he said. “It’s uplifting, and it’s about more than just the art—it’s the experience and excitement it brings to the city.”
Banksy’s week-long spree of art installations has sparked widespread interest, though not all of his pieces have remained intact. Earlier in the week, a painting of a stretching cat on a billboard in north-west London was removed by contractors citing safety concerns, while a howling wolf on a satellite dish in Peckham was taken down less than an hour after its reveal.
Despite these setbacks, the series has resonated with the public, offering moments of surprise and delight amid the city’s daily hustle. Banksy’s support organization, Pest Control Office, hinted that the series was designed to provide light-hearted amusement during a period of otherwise bleak news. As anticipation builds, Londoners are left wondering what Banksy’s next move will be.
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