During my first visit to London, I walked around Camden Market. I was looking for gifts for friends. I came across a painting that caught my eye. It was The Kissing Coppers (2005), by Banksy. This was my first encounter with their artwork. For me, it was the ideal gift because it supports the LGBTQ+ community, so I bought it for my friend Roy.
Who is Banksy?
Is a mysterious and provocative British artist and activist. The artist’s identity remains unconfirmed. Over the years, their pieces have appeared in several locations across the United Kingdom. These artworks spark reactions from the public worldwide. Banksy’s work often addresses controversial themes such as war, capitalism, migration, social justice, and more. Among their famous works are Girl with Balloon, Flower Thrower, Pulp Fiction, Gangsta Rat, Two Elephants, and many others.
In summer 2021, I was living in Jyväskylä, the centre of Finland. I visited an exhibition of Banksy’s art at the Serlachius Museum in Mänttä titled “A Visual Protest” with friends. This was the first time Bansky’s artworks were shown in Finland. Since I saw this exhibition, I have learned to admire their work even more.
Banksy’s Artwork and Diego
In August 2024, Banksy made headlines again when nine artworks appeared in several locations across London. All related to the theme of animals. I was excited to read the news because I was going to London with some friends for the Notting Hill Carnival, held during the last week of August. Naturally, one of the things on my list was to see at least two of the new art pieces.
A day before the carnival, we headed to Brick Lane to see Three Monkeys, located on the wall of the train track in this colorful neighborhood. I was thrilled to see their work on the street rather than in an exhibition. While walking toward the location, it started to rain—as is typical in London. Diego, one of my friends, didn’t want to get wet, so he stayed in a coffee shop with another friend. I borrowed his coat and went down the street to look for the art piece. I found it and was excited to see it, having just been revealed weeks before.
When I returned to the coffee shop, Diego’s coat was soaked. He was a bit upset with me. Eventually, after the rain passed, they joined me. We enjoyed the graffiti, shops, and more in this trendy neighborhood.
It was a sunny day after the carnival. Diego and I decided to visit Buckingham Palace. We also planned to walk through The Green Park. While sitting there, I looked at the map to see if there was any Banksy art nearby. Bingo, there was one in Mayfair! So again, I invited Diego to walk with me to find it. No rain this time. We enjoyed the 20-minute walk through Mayfair. When Google showed that we had arrived, I looked around but didn’t see any graffiti. At that moment, Diego said, “I think it’s not here; maybe it was on that building that’s being demolished.” I was optimistic, so I went over to ask two men standing nearby. Indeed, the mural named Shop Until You Drop (2011) was no longer there because the building had been demolished. We both laughed out loud.
However, we continued our walk to Soho and then back to our Airbnb, enjoying the vibrant vibes of London’s streets.
On two occasions, I tried to show Diego Banksy’s art. He got to see one at Brick Lane. Now that I think about it, it’s funny how we can teach and share with others what we like and enjoy. Diego will surely always remember Banksy’s name and art, and I will always show my love for art. Today, we remember those moments fondly and laugh about the little adventures they brought.
What is your Banksy street art experience? Share it!
Photos: Diego Mora and Shirlene Green
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