Monday blues for the residents of a street in London turned green, courtesy of Banksy, who confirmed that he’s the one behind a mural that unexpectedly showed up on a wall in Finsbury Park.
The elusive and ever-mischievous street artist struck again with a new artwork left behind on the side of a building on Hornsey Road in Finsbury Park. Local residents woke up on Sunday morning to find the massive mural, which depicts an image of nature struggling against urbanization.
Banksy put speculations to rest after confirming on Monday that the mural is indeed his work of art.
The mural portrays an enormous green splatter behind a bare tree, giving it an illusion of foliage. Beneath it stands a young girl who seems to hold up what looks like a pressure sprayer while gazing up at the lush green.
Residents woke up on Sunday morning to find the mural on the side of a building
Image credits: Banksy
Locals living in the area were awestruck as they crowded around to take in Banksy’s latest work of art. After the mural showed up overnight, many people began speculating that Banksy might be the one who secretly painted the mural.
"It feels like a personal message to us residents, we just feel so proud," said Wanja Sellers, who lives close to the brand-new mural.
James Peak, who created the BBC Radio 4 series The Banksy Story, said he was sure Banksy was behind the piece even before the artist confirmed so.
James mentioned that the mural, characterized by a "great arterial spray of green paint" up a white wall, had "classic Banksy-style stencil."
"When you step back, it looks like the tree is bursting to life, but in a noticeably fake and synthetic way," James said.
"It's spring now, and this tree should be bursting forth with leaves, but Banksy must have cycled past and thought how miserable it looks," he added.
"It feels like a personal message to us residents," people living in the area said
Image credits: Banksy
Prior to Banksy confirming that the artwork was his own, Islington Councillor Flora Williamson remarked that having a Banksy piece in the area would be “incredible.”
It would be "incredible" to have a Banksy artwork "right in the middle of social housing and one of the poorest parts of the borough," Flora said.
"I think it adds intrigue and culture and brings the area to life," she added.
Residents wondered whether their rents would hike up if their street boasted having a Banksy original in the area.
"Banksy came overnight and now my rent will skyrocket," one resident said.
Banksy confirmed on Monday that he was the artist behind the mural
Image credits: Banksy
After the artist confirmed on Instagram that his hands were behind the mural, several people commented on his post, saying, “He’s back.”
“Wake up babe, new banksy just dropped,” read one comment, while another said, “Knew it was a Banksy!! Found it yesterday and posted some photos on my grid.”
“The mysterious artist eventually confirmed on social media that he is behind the new mural,” read another comment.
One comment on the mural said, “Nature is in trouble and it’s up to us to help it grow back.”