Throughout his career, Banksy has maintained a firm anti-war stance with art works such as ‘Have A Nice Day’ or ‘CND Soldiers’. This legacy has led some to speculate his goat art mural may be a commentary on Israel’s conflict with Gaza, with the goat becoming a pro-Palestine symbol in recent protests. The symbolism of the goat has been incorporated by groups such as Columbia University’s Apartheid Divest, who utilised it during their solidarity protests. There is a CCTV camera pointed at the goat which could symbolise the media coverage of Palestine. Meanwhile, others see the goat as a metaphor for the United Kingdom itself as the goat which is perched on a small ledge possibly teetering on the brink of collapse.
In comparison, there is little political discourse surrounding the other animal murals. Some speculate the three monkeys may refer to the Japanese proverb of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”, perhaps urging the public to be mindful and stray from evil. Others believe it could be a commentary on the climate threat and its effect on animals.
However, interpretations are starting to stray away from political discourse. As Banksy’s support organisation, Pest Control Office, indicated that the art was simply created with the hope of highlighting human’s capacity for play rather than destruction, especially during a time of widespread unrest throughout the UK and the rest of the world. The murals are far more playful and fun than Banksy’s past work, it may be Banksy’s hope that they are uplifting and a form of escapism for the public.
Ultimately, Banksy’s recent works offer both a mirror to society’s hardships and a brief respite from them. His ambiguous art and silence leaves us to ponder its true intent long after the paint has dried.