Renowned street artist Banksy recently unveiled a new work of art on a London street, only to have it swiftly removed less than an hour later. The artwork features three drones on a stop sign, which the artist shared on Instagram around midday on a Friday. Unfortunately, by 12:30 p.m., witnesses observed two individuals using bolt cutters to take down the sign from a junction in Peckham, southeast London.

According to witnesses, the removal occurred shortly after the artist posted about the artwork on Instagram. One witness, identified as Alex, mentioned that he had seen the post only four minutes before heading out on his lunch break. Upon arriving at the location, there were already a few people admiring and taking pictures of the artwork. Alex recounted the shocking moment when one man abruptly removed the sign using force and bolt cutters, leaving onlookers in disbelief.

Another witness expressed disappointment over the removal of the artwork, commenting on the ephemeral nature of such pieces in public spaces. However, it is worth noting that Banksy himself is not believed to be involved in the removal of the artwork. The artist is known for confirming his works on social media without providing further comment, maintaining his elusive persona.

Many have interpreted the latest artwork as a message calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, given Banksy’s known support for the Palestinian cause. This interpretation is in line with the artist’s history of using his work to address socio-political issues. Banksy’s involvement in drawing attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is further exemplified by his ownership of a hotel near Israel’s separation barrier in Bethlehem, West Bank.

While Banksy’s artworks have gained significant market value, they often face challenges in terms of preservation and vandalism due to their public nature. Several of his previous works have been subject to removal or destruction, including the infamous incident in which one of his paintings shredded itself after being auctioned for $1.4 million. The transitory nature of Banksy’s pieces reflects the ongoing tension between street art and art preservation.

In conclusion, the rapid removal of Banksy’s latest artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of street art, as well as the artist’s commitment to addressing social and political issues through his work.

Authored by: Lianne Kolirin, Zeena Saifi and Nadeem Muaddi from CNN.