A new mural by anonymous artist Bansky has appeared in north London and has been authenticated by the artist.
The metamural itself, on Hornsey Road in Finsbury Park, consists solely of green paint sprayed onto a blank wall, which, when viewed from the right angle, provides foliage for a bare cherry tree that stands in a small grassy plot and whose branches have been severely trimmed. , leaving him with an atrophied appearance.
The painting also features a life-size figure stamped into the ground with a spray can, so it looks like he has just painted the foliage and is watching his work.
It's customary for the artist's studio to authenticate new murals by posting photos on social media, and a photo of the tree and wall appeared on the artist's Instagram account yesterday. Cleverly, the post includes before and after photos, so it's clear the photographer was there before the mural appeared.
Dozens of people have gone to the place to see the street artist's newest work. “It feels like a personal message to us residents, we are very proud,” Wanja Sellers, who lives across the street from the mural, told the BBC. James Peak, who created a BBC radio series about the artist, told the publication that the green matches the tone used on signage in the region, so that “it looks like the tree is coming to life, but in a visibly false way.” and synthetic."
Local politician Flora Williamson told the BBC it was “amazing” to have a work of art by Banksy “right in the middle of social housing and in one of the poorest parts of the neighborhood. I think it adds intrigue and culture and brings the area to life.”
The local council is aware of the artwork and will not remove it as it normally would with unauthorized graffiti, the BBC reported.
The piece appeared not only a few days before the arrival of Spring, suggesting a message of rebirth, but also on St. Patrick's Day, so its green hue is reminiscent of Britain's northern neighbor.
Former Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who represents the area in Parliament, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the work “makes people stop and think: 'Hold on. We live in a world. We live in an environment. It is vulnerable and on the verge of serious damage.'”
Source: Artnet News