New Banksy artwork of black goat leaves people guessing

A mysterious new Banksy artwork has sprung up near London’s Kew Bridge, alongside a cryptic Instagram post by the artist that has left people speculating over its meaning.

The mural shows a silhouette of a mountain goat precariously perched on a structure supporting the wall of a building. A real security camera is pointed at the animal, which looks like it’s moments away from slipping and falling.

A Banksy fan who raced to the artwork’s location as soon as it was revealed on social media said she thinks it’s a commentary on humans destroying the natural world. “[It could be about] how we’ve ruined [the environment] to the point that animals don’t know where to go anymore,” Londoner Amber Doffman told The Sun.

“It’s also worth noting that that security camera wasn’t facing that way before. Banksy has turned it towards the goat. It’s like it’s wanting its attention,” she added.

One Instagram user commented, “No where else to go. We’re just awaiting the fall.” Another wrote, “Scapegoat,” while a third user joked, “the goat [greatest of all time] is back,” in reference to their love of Banksy.

The black goat follows another mural by the artist depicting green leaves that appeared on a wall directly behind a tree that had been cut down. Like all his artworks, Banksy confirmed it was one of his creations on Instagram. The council covered the artwork with the acrylic perspex to protect it.

The artist, whose identity remains a secret, often comments on current affairs through his work. James Pearl, from BBC Radio 4’s “The Banksy Story,” said of the tree piece, “the message is clear. Nature’s struggling and it is up to us to help it grow back.”