Video has shown how a Banksy artwork in central London was moved to a new location, where the public will be able to “see it from every angle”. The piece featuring piranhas in a police guard box was removed from its original location on Monday, August 12.
It’s the elusive artist’s seventh animal-themed design, which gives the illusion of a giant aquarium thanks to translucent spray paint. It was first seen on Ludgate Hill near the Old Bailey before being cordoned off by the local authority.
At the time, it was said that the box of panes of glass will be temporarily housed in the City of London Corporation’s offices, a 15-minute walk from its former location. Officials now say it is in an “accessible location in Guildhall Yard where everyone can now see the work from all sides, safely”.
READ MORE: One of London’s most gentrified boroughs launches petition to stop Gail’s Bakery opening
The company has posted a video on its X page showing how the artwork was removed. It involved six workers lifting the entire guard post onto a maintenance vehicle.
The play can be seen in Guildhall Yard
At the end of the video, officials said: “We have carefully moved #Banksy’s City of London artwork to the Guildhall to ensure it is properly protected and open to the public to view safely, away from traffic. A permanent home for the work. to be decided In due course you can visit the work during the day in the beautiful Guildhall Yard.
Eight works of art across the capital have appeared in recent days believed to be the work of Banksy. These include a rhino in Charlton, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans in a fish and chip shop and a cat on a sign in Cricklewood.
A balaclava wearing vandal defaced the rhino piece with spray paint just hours after it went up, with a disgusted crowd calling for him to stop. The street artist’s work shows the animal mounting a silver Nissan Micra with a traffic cone on its bonnet, and was revealed on Monday 12 August.
A video obtained by BBC News shows a man walking up to the artwork and spray painting it, leaving a white tag on it. The crowd gathered at the piece, on Westmoor Street, is heard saying ‘don’t do it’, and as the person walks away a voice from the crowd asks: “Why did you do it? Why did you do it?”
You can sign up to get the most exciting events for the new bars and restaurants in London sent directly to your WhatsApp from the team.
To sign up, you must already have WhatsApp. All you have to do is click on this link and select “join the community”.
No one will be able to see who is registered and no one can send messages except for the team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and advertisements from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out whenever you want. To leave our community click on the name at the top of the screen and select “leave group”.
If you are curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Click here to sign up for alerts.
Keep up to date with London’s most exciting events, newest restaurants and latest deals with our What’s On, Going Out newsletter. You can register HERE.