The anonymous artist Banksy installed a giant statue of a suited figure holding a flag in London's Westminster district this week [1].

The installation appeared near the Royal Courts of Justice between the night of April 28 and the early hours of April 29, 2026 [1]. Local authorities have decided not to remove the piece, allowing the public to view the work [1].

The statue depicts a person in a professional suit holding a flag in the right hand, with a large flag covering the figure's face [1, 2]. Members of the public first began witnessing the installation on April 30 [2].

Visitors and residents have interpreted the work as a critique of nationalism and blind obedience to authority. One local man who works near the site said the statue represents being blinded by national flags and glory, suggesting the figure is simply marching and following orders regardless of the circumstances [1].

Other observers noted the urgency of visiting such works before they are removed by governments or claimed by private collectors. One visitor said that people often claim to love and support their country while walking toward a cliff, adding that the viewer themselves might be part of that force [1].

Another visitor said they were surprised at the opportunity to see the work in person, noting that they remembered learning about Banksy in school [1].

The installation follows the artist's history of using public spaces to deliver political and social commentary through unexpected placements [1].

“The statue depicts a person in a professional suit holding a flag in the right hand, with a large flag covering the figure's face.”

The decision by Westminster authorities to maintain the statue rather than remove it reflects a shift in how cities manage 'guerrilla art.' By treating the installation as a public attraction rather than vandalism, the city leverages the global brand of Banksy to draw tourism, even while the artwork itself critiques the very structures of power and governance that manage the urban space.