A stunning new mural by the elusive street artist Banksy has recently emerged on the side of the Royal Courts of Justice building, situated in the heart of central London. This provocative artwork portrays a judge, adorned in a traditional wig and black robe, striking a protester who is lying on the ground, with blood splattering across their placard. Although the mural does not explicitly reference any specific cause or incident, its unveiling comes just two days after a significant protest where nearly 900 individuals were arrested, protesting against the ban on Palestine Action.
The mural's appearance was met with swift action as it was quickly obscured by large sheets of plastic and two metal barriers, guarded by two security officers. The Metropolitan Police reported that they had received a notification of potential criminal damage and that their investigations would continue. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals clarified that due to the Royal Courts of Justice being a listed building, there is a legal obligation to preserve its original character.
One of the security officers on site remarked that they were unsure how long they would need to maintain their watch, but light-heartedly noted, "At least it's not raining." The mural is positioned on an external wall of the Queen's Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex, located on the typically serene Carey Street. However, on the day of the mural's revelation, the area buzzed with onlookers eager to snap pictures of the newly covered artwork.
Banksy, renowned for using social media to authenticate his works, shared a photo of this mural on Instagram, captioning it: "Royal Courts Of Justice. London." Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman speculated that the mural serves as a critique of the law, although she refrained from identifying any specific legislation. She commented, "Parliament makes the law, and the judges simply interpret the law," adding that there hasn't been any substantial evidence suggesting that judges have been unduly restricting the right to protest beyond parliamentary intentions.
Banksy's stencilled graffiti frequently critiques government policies, warfare, and capitalism. Last summer, he initiated an animal-themed campaign in London, featuring nine distinct works, culminating in a striking depiction of a gorilla lifting a shutter at the entrance of London Zoo. Other notable installations included piranhas swimming on a police sentry box in the City of London and a howling wolf on a satellite dish, which was removed from the roof of a shop in Peckham, south London, less than an hour after its unveiling.
Banksy has also made headlines for his impactful work in the West Bank. In December 2019, he created a modified Nativity scene at a hotel in Bethlehem, showcasing Jesus' manger in front of Israel's separation barrier, which appeared to be damaged by a blast, forming a star shape. While Israel maintains that the barrier is essential for preventing infiltrations from the West Bank, Palestinians argue that it serves as a tool for land appropriation.
This latest mural by Banksy not only adds to his extensive portfolio of politically charged art but also sparks conversations about the intersection of art and activism, particularly in the context of legal and social justice in London.
