For more from London's art world, sign up for our new (free) newsletter and community: Londonist: Urban Palette.
A City of London police box which was 'filled' with piranhas by guerilla street artist Banksy last summer will go on display at the London Museum when it opens next year.
In August 2024 the biting satirist claimed responsibility for turning a 1990s police sentry box on Ludgate Hill into a vicious-looking aquarium, using translucent spray paint. It was part of a spate of critter-themed artworks that Banksy delighted London with, others including a gorilla at London Zoo and a pelican outside a Walthamstow chip shop.
The fishy police box was soon moved to Guildhall Yard for safekeeping; now, the City of London Corporation has said it plans to remove the artwork from here, and gift it to the London Museum (formerly Museum of London), which opens at a new home in Smithfield Market in 2026. We're all for it — although surely the London Aquarium would've been more fitting?
The City Corporation — which was recently accused by London Spy as overseeing 'the last rotten borough' — has so far pledged £222m towards the new London Museum.
