If reality TV has taught us anything, it’s that people love a reunion. Don’t you just love seeing where the cast of Love Island are a few years on? Oh actually, I just realised I don’t give a fuck about that.
But maybe it would be good to see what’s happened to all the Banksy’s in London; which pieces remain and which have been abolished from the streets for good?
It’s been 7 whole years [SEVEN YEARS!] since I wrote my first ‘Banksy Hunting in LDN‘ post – all the way back in 2015 – and a lot has changed in the world since… Barack Obama was the US President, while David Cameron was the man at the helm in the UK. That clown Donald Trump has been and gone, but one still remains in charge of Great Britain [that’s Boris Johnson, just in case you were wondering]. In terms of tech; the iPhone in everyone’s hand back then was the iPhone 6/6s vs the iPhone 13 today. That said, I’m still using the same Macbook [as I had in twentyfifteen] to type this.
Another thing to mention…we’ve also survived the global pandemic and multiple lockdowns.
RE global leaders: one can’t help think of the below and how right Banksy was.
Banksy has also been pretty active in the years that have passed post 2015: The Walled Off Hotel opened in Palestine, he’s been back to NYC, had a stint in France and a trip to Venice. His Brexit piece in Dover symbolised how the British nation felt about leaving the EU, and it was covered up a few years after, along with our hopes. He brought us some immersive experiences in Dismaland and Gross Domestic Product. He’s been back around the UK in Bristol, Hull, Nottingham, Reading, Great Yarmouth and London (to name a few).
Banksy’s in London: Then and Now
Unlike my last post on Banksy’s in London, this time all the pieces were found in one day, in 8 hours and 30 minutes, to be precise. This took me from south east, central, east, west and north. Across more than 60KM of the vast London metropolis.
The day started with disappointment and ended with tired legs and some optimism. A number of pieces have gone since my last Banksy hunt but lots have survived and I even saw some I haven’t seen before.
[1] ‘Phone Tap’ – Poplar/ All Saints
The Banksy Part II outing commenced with a short trip from my current neighbourhood, Woolwich Arsenal, to Poplar to see the ‘Phone Tap’ piece. This was one of my favourites as it was pretty local to where I live and in a pretty random area, by all accounts. It was also a piece that wasn’t covered by protective plexi and hadn’t ever had any damage over it. It felt well respected in the local area.
That said, upon arrival I was pretty gutted as when I approached the piece I could tell it was no longer around and had been tagged over. It was a shit start to proceedings, and left me wondering what might be to come…
‘Phone Tap’ in 2015
‘Phone Tap’ in 2022 🚫😥
While the Banksy may no longer be in Poplar, I’d still recommend a visit as there’s this stunning piece by Irony and Boe that’s still standing. You can also find work by Ben Eine in the area too.
From All Saints I took the DLR to Canary Wharf and the Jubilee line to London Bridge for the next part of the journey. I’d read there was still two rats in the area [both of which I had not previously included in my Banksy hunting post] so I was looking forward to seeing what condition I’d find them in.
[2] Rat on Tooley Street, London Bridge SE1
Over the road from London Bridge station, behind ‘The London Experience’ and opposite an ice cream shop you can find a classic stencil rat, symbolic of Banksy. It’s still in pretty good condition, which I was very pleased to see.
Tooley St Rat, Feb ’22 🐭
Note: no historic comparison on this one
[3] ‘You Lose’ Rat, Steelyard Passage EC4
A short 15 walk up from Tooley St to Cannon St you can find Steelyard Passage and what remains of the Banksy Rat entitled ‘You Lose’. Everything has pretty much faded now and it’s not really that visible.
That said, it is still there…
‘You Lose’ Rat, Feb ’22 🐭
Note: no historic comparison on this one
The next destination after seeing a few rats round the south bank was Shoreditch – the hipster capital of London. It’s been home to many Banksy’s over the years, but now sadly only three remain [to my knowledge… I’ve read there’s the copper snorting piece that’s visible through a window in an office, but it’s been touched up, so that doesn’t count]. Shoreditch is also home to some incredible graff from artists all over the world, making it worthy of a day out anyway…
[4] ‘Designated Graffiti Area’ – Rivington Street, Shoreditch EC2
Two Banksy’s can be found in the smoking/ outdoor drinks area of the club Cargo, which is normally accessible to the public during the day. The pieces are also opposite this iconic piece by the legendary Ben Eine [above].
As this piece has been covered in plexi, it’s pretty much in the same condition as it was back in 2015. The only difference is the bench below is now green, instead of brown. How dare they.
‘Designated Graffiti’ Area in 2015
‘Designated Graffiti Area’ in Feb ’22
[5] ‘His Master’s Voice’ – Rivington Street, Shoreditch EC2
Along the same wall as the above, just a few metres to the right is the ‘His Master’s Voice’ piece. It’s also covered in plexi and remains in the same, good condition today.
‘His Master’s Voice’ in 2015
‘His Master’s Voice’ in Feb ’22
Before you leave Rivington St and Shoreditch make sure you take time to appreciate some of the work by Stik and Thierry Noir (before more new swanky flats are built and the local graff becomes part of the history books).
[6] ‘Flower PaInter’ – Bethnal Green E2 6LR
On Pollard Street in Bethnal Green still stands Banksy’s ‘Flower Painter’, which has resided here since back in 2007. That said, the painter is no longer there but the flower is still standing high and mighty.
You can get to Bethnal Green pretty easily from Shoreditch, either a 20 min walk, 10 min bus or central line if you want to get sweaty and up-close and personal on the tube.
‘Flower Painter’ in 2015
‘Flower Painter’ in Feb ’22
After a stroll around the east end it’s time to venture central. Oyster Card and facemask at the ready, it’s time to hit Bethnal Green station and head westbound to Tottenham Court Road.
[7] ‘If graffiti changed anything, it would be illegal’ – Chipstone Street W1W
This was one of my favourite pieces back in the day and another great example of Banksy’s earlier works. When you think of Banksy, this sort of work is what comes to mind. Thought provoking and instantly recognisable with the rat and red font.
For me, this one is as relevant today in 2022 as it was when he did it, eleven years ago in 2011. Governments do not like an alternative voice though they claim we have ‘freedom of speech’.
Sadly, this Banksy has paid the price of capitalism and has been replaced with flats that cost more than the working man [or woman] can afford.
‘If graffiti changed anything, it would be illegal’ in 2015
‘If graffiti changed anything, it would be illegal’ in Feb ’22 🚫 😥
[8] ‘Shop ’til you drop’ – Bruton Lane W1J 6PT
About a twenty minute walk from ‘if graffiti changed anything, it would be illegal‘ [I know what you’re thinking, everything’s twenty minutes away] is the ‘shop ’til you drop’ piece in London’s Mayfair.
This area is full of the high life; Burberry, Balenciaga, Chanel, Prada, Valentino, etc. money, money, money… So it’s the perfect place for a Banksy spin on consumerism.
This Banksy is still in pristine condition and probably one of the best kept in London. Until the building its’s on is ultimately knocked down for yet more high-end fashion or expensive living.
‘Shop ’til you drop’ in 2015
‘Shop ’til you drop’ in Feb ’22
The next part of our journey is West London and staying on the central line are stop-offs at Marble Arch and Notting Hill Gate.
[9] Extinction Rebellion* – Marble Arch
*Not confirmed by Banksy himself, though an article suggests that experts believe this is authentic.
Looking at the style of the piece it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Annoyingly, when I went to see this work it was hard to get a good view/ angle of it as there was building work been carried out on the eye-sore that is the Marble Arch Mound. A horrendous waste of tax payer’s money.
‘From this moment despair ends and tactics begin’ – Feb ’22
Note: no historic comparison on this one
[10] ‘Master Artist’ – Portobello Road W11 2DY
Three stops on the central line from Marble Arch is Notting Hill Gate, where you can find Banksy’s ‘Master Painter’ down the famous Portobello Road. This one has managed to stand the test of time and change and still exists today, protected by plexiglass. I’ve been down here a few times in the past few years and have seen this piece covered by tags so much so you can’t even see the Banksy, but thankfully it’s been cleaned up and still remains visible today.
‘Master Artist’ in 2015
‘Master Artist’ in Feb ’22
From ‘Master Artist’ you can head to Ladbroke Grove tube station and travel back towards central London. The next stop on this expedition is Barbican on the circle line.
[11&12] Basquiat Banksy’s – Barbican Centre EC2Y
These Banksy’s arrived in the capital back in 2017 in homage to NYC art legend Jean-Michel Basquiat. At the time there was an exhibition on at the Barbican Centre and these Banksy’s appeared. They’ve now been in London for 5 years, which feels mad as it still feels like it was yesterday when I went to see them [actually it was literally yesterday when I saw them again]…
The Basquiat Banky’s can be found on the underpass underneath the Barbican centre. They are both still covered in plexi so are still in great condition.
Basquiat Banksy’s in 2017
Basquiat Banksy’s in Feb ’22
[13] Banksy Rat – Chiswell Street EC1Y
Staying in Barbican you can find one of his famous rat stencils still in pretty good nick. This is just a 10 min walk from the Basquiat pieces. There’s no plexi covering the piece but it has remained in decent shape since I last saw it.
Barbican Banksy Rat in 2015
Barbican Banksy Rat in Feb ’22
[14&15] ‘Cash Machine Girl’ and Banksy Rat – Farringdon EC1R
One stop away on the tube from Barbican is Farringdon, the location for another two Banksy pieces. Though back in 2015 when I wrote my first post, both of these were in poor condition, so I didn’t have high expectations. ‘Cash Machine Girl’ is covered in plexi, but unfortunately it was already damaged beforehand so even seven years ago it wasn’t looking good.
This is probably the only Banksy I wonder why they actually protected it, given it was already badly damaged before it was covered up.
The Banksy rat in Farringdon was located on the wall of the Royal Mail building, but guess what, this is also been re-developed and is no longer there…
‘Cash Machine Girl’ in 2015
‘Cash Machine Girl’ in Feb ’22
‘Banksy Rat’ in 2015
‘Banksy Rat’ in Feb ’22
This brings us to the penultimate Banksy in Angel, which was [you guessed it] a steady 20 minute journey on the red London bus.
[16] ‘Very Little Helps’ – Essex Road N1 8NE
This one wasn’t in the best condition back in 2015 and still isn’t any better today. But it’s still there and still covered in plexiglass, so that’s a positive. To be fair, given the time and state it was in seven years ago it’s not too bad, and it’s still a fine example of a pretty big Banksy stencil.
‘Very Little Helps’ in 2015
‘Very Little Helps’ in Feb ’22
So this brings us to an emotional end – and about 8 hours into my journey – a bus from Angel to Stoke Newington to the final stop. And another 20 minute journey [sorry].
[17] ‘Clown House’ – Church Street N16
Apparently this piece has been in Stokey since the dark ages [2001], so over 20 years! On my last visit this piece was still visible but it was surrounded by black paint. I’m very pleased to report that since 2015 this piece still remains in good condition, and albeit still surrounded by paint, it’s still in good condition to this day.
‘Clown House’ in 2015
‘Clown House’ in Feb ’22
And that, my friends, brings to an end to Banksy Hunting Reunion in 2022 [for now]. It was an emotional day of reminiscing, sightseeing and using public transport. All in all, there’s still plenty of amazing Banksy’s to see in London, and while there hasn’t been too many new ones of late, we can still enjoy the work he once graced upon the capital.
I hope this article serves you well in your quest to find Banksy’s in London. If you can’t be bothered finding them and want someone to show you, visit my ‘London Banksy Tours‘ page and see if you can convince me to be your guide.
Here’s the map tracking my Banksy journey for the day, spanning 66KM and taking just over 8.5 hours. My legs killed, I was broken and starving, my iPhone was on 15% and my headphones had died. Was it worth it? Yes.
Finally please let me know if I’ve missed any Banksy pieces in London, and as always, graffiti lovers & artists, add comments, share your favourite Banksy’s, and any info I’ve missed.
Oh, and Banksy, please come back to London, we’ve missed you!
Peace x
Street Art Everywhere 