Elusive street artist Banksy has confirmed he is behind a striking new mural in Bayswater, west London, while a second, identical piece appeared in central London outside the Centre Point tower. The dual artworks, first spotted last week, depict two children lying on the ground, pointing upwards, dressed in winter coats, wellington boots, and bobble hats.

Bayswater Mural Confirmed by Banksy

The Bayswater artwork, located above a row of garages on Queen’s Mews, was officially confirmed by Banksy when he posted an image of the mural on his Instagram account on Monday afternoon. The black-and-white piece features a child pointing to the sky, evoking themes of hope and innocence amid hardship.

While Banksy has only publicly confirmed the Bayswater mural, reports indicate that an identical mural appeared near Centre Point tower in central London on Friday.

Interpreting the Centre Point Location

Artists and local observers suggest the Centre Point location carries significant social commentary, particularly around child homelessness. Artist Daniel Lloyd-Morgan told the BBC that the mural poignantly reflects children overlooked during Christmas:
“Everybody is having a good time but there are a lot of children who are not having a good time at Christmas…It’s quite fitting that the kids are pointing up like they’re looking at the North Star.”

Banksy enthusiast Jason Tomkins echoed this interpretation, noting the mural’s location at 101-103 New Oxford Street, a historic site of housing protests. Originally built in 1963 as an office block, the Centre Point tower remained vacant for over a decade, fueling public anger over homelessness. The building has since been converted into luxury flats, further underscoring the mural’s social message.

Artistic Continuity and Previous Works

Observers also noted that the child in the murals resembles a character from Banksy’s 2018 Port Talbot “Season’s Greetings” mural, marking a rare reuse of a character in his work. Tomkins commented, “This is quite unusual for him to use the same little boy again, because he has never done that.”

The Centre Point mural follows Banksy’s September 2025 work near the Royal Courts of Justice, which depicted a protester lying on the ground holding a blood-spattered placard while a judge loomed over him. That piece was removed shortly after appearing. In 2024, Banksy also created an animal trail across London, featuring elephants, gorillas, monkeys, piranhas, rhinos, and pelicans.

Public Reaction and Social Commentary

Residents and visitors expressed surprise and intrigue at the murals. Videos and social media posts from Bayswater show locals stopping to admire the artwork, capturing its combination of childlike innocence and stark social commentary. Many interpret the murals as a statement on homelessness, inequality, and societal neglect, consistent with Banksy’s long-standing approach to street art as a vehicle for political and social critique.

Banksy has not provided specific commentary on the significance of the Centre Point location or why he replicated the Bayswater mural in central London, leaving interpretation open to the public.

Banksy’s Impact on London’s Street Art Scene

These twin murals reinforce Banksy’s influence on London’s urban art landscape, blending accessibility with social activism. By situating artwork in public spaces, Banksy draws attention to pressing societal issues while inviting viewers to reflect on inequality, poverty, and the often-overlooked struggles of children and marginalized communities.