When it comes to street art; there really is only one name that instantly springs to mind: Banksy. The anonymous artist and political activist is notorious for popping up in the dead of night and creating thought-provoking works-of-art for unsuspecting passers-by to discover the next morning.
Well, it seems that the infamously-elusive street artist might have struck again in the capital city. Yesterday morning, a building near Finsbury Park became the proud owner of a shiny new mural. Quickly becoming the talk of the town, many Banksy-loving Londoners have been rushing to Hornsey Road to get a peek of the newly paint-splattered building.
The mural features a mass of green paint splashed across the previously dilapidated wall behind a leafless tree, giving the appearance of the tree’s foliage. A person holding what seems to be a pressure hose has been stenciled alongside it. And it does all look suspiciously Banksy-esque.
The artwork has not yet officially been confirmed as a Banksy; but it certainly does resemble the style of the street-artist’s previous work. Banksy usually announces his works by posting pictures on his social media – so, I guess time will tell.
James Peak (creator of the BBC Radio 4 series, The Banksy Story) headed over to Hornsey Road when he heard the news, and upon seeing the piece, said: “to my mind it looks like a dead cert”. Peak noticed that the colour of the paint perfectly matches the shade of green that Islington Council use for their street signs. A factor that would be in-keeping with Banksy’s classic eye for detail. Peak added: “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”.
So, I guess we now wait and see if Banksy is, in fact, responsible for this new north London work of art. Can the real mystery artist please stand up?