Banksy's Mystery Flag Statue Is Costing London Nearly £60,000 — And Nobody Knows What Happens Next

One morning in late April, Londoners in Waterloo Place woke up to something nobody ordered: a brand new Banksy statue. The piece shows a suited man stepping off a plinth with a huge flag draped over his face, and it wasn’t long before the internet nicknamed it Blinded by the Flag. Banksy later confirmed it was his, which turned a random curiosity into a full-blown cultural moment.

The problem is what happens after the moment. Westminster City Council has been acting as custodian while Banksy keeps the copyright, which means the council can’t sell it, relocate it, or really do anything permanent without a plan. In the meantime, they’ve spent almost £60,000 on barriers, security and administration. Someone even sprayed graffiti on the plinth, proving that protecting an outdoor artwork in central London is a full-time job.

The statue’s future is now set to be discussed at an upcoming council cabinet meeting, and the council says no formal decision has been made. That leaves one big question hanging over Waterloo Place: is this piece a gift to the city, or an expensive houseguest that never leaves?

What would you do if a Banksy appeared on your street overnight? Let us know in the comments.