{"id":40530,"date":"2024-08-06T09:55:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T07:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e6d1e5d0-51db-474b-bfc3-bee2cb4b6d38"},"modified":"2024-08-06T12:28:48","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T10:28:48","slug":"banksy-confirms-new-goat-artwork-in-london-is-his-but-what-does-it-mean","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/banksy-confirms-new-goat-artwork-in-london-is-his-but-what-does-it-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"Banksy confirms new goat artwork in London is his \u2013 but what does it mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The elusive street artist\u2019s latest work near Kew Bridge in south-west London shows what appears to be an ibex teetering on a narrow ledge. <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 06 August 2024 at 07:55 AM<\/p>

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Banksy, one of the world’s most famous street artists, has revealed that a new goat mural painted on the side of a building in London is his.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

The artwork shows what appears to be an ibex \u2013 a type of wild goat \u2013 perched high on a thin ledge, with rocks crumbling to the ground around it around it. A CCTV camera was originally pointed at the goat, but this has now been moved back to its original position.<\/p>

Banksy confirmed the work was his with a post of the image\u00a0on his Instagram page, but he didn’t reveal the meaning behind it, leaving the public and experts to interpret it in their own way.\u00a0<\/p>

The goat was painted on a wall in\u00a0Kew Green, Richmond. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

So, what does Banksy’s goat mean?<\/p>

One theory is that the goat, stood precariously on the crumbling ledge, is symbolic of people \u2013 and indeed other animals \u2013 being dangerously close to the edge of extinction.<\/p>

Others think that the CCTV camera, pointed at the wild mountain goat, is a message about our lack of privacy.<\/p>

\"Banksy
Passersby stop to photograph the new artwork. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The comments box on Banksy’s Instagram post has received numerous other theories.<\/p>

“The camera is looking at the falling rocks, rather than what’s causing them to fall,” comments Chris Barcroft. “Goats are adapted to climbing on narrow ledges, so it isn’t in danger, but the camera’s view doesn’t give the full picture. So I’d guess that it’s referencing the need to understand that news needs context before forming an opinion.”<\/p>

Local resident Malcolm Taylor told BBC London he thinks the mural is “incredible – we hope it stays here.”<\/p>

\"Alpine
Ibex are wild goats \u2013 several species exist in Eurasia, North Africa and East Africa. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Banksy is an England-based graffiti artist whose work appears around the world. His identity remains a mystery.\u00a0<\/p>

More amazing wildlife stories<\/strong><\/p>