A Banksy artwork has appeared in the London Transport Museum, following its creation by the anonymous artist in 2019.
The artwork depicts a rat hanging from the arm of a clock and appeared in front of the artist’s pop-up showroom installation, Gross Domestic Product. It was featured in a video posted by Banksy on Instagram in October 2019 and resembles the famous Harold Lloyd clock scene in his 1923 movie, Safety Last!
As it was created on the front of a Transport for London (TfL) signal controller cabinet in Croydon, it was removed to prevent theft. Apart from the artistic and commercial value, they were concerned that attempts to steal it would break the signalling system inside.
After spending a few years in storage, it has now gone on display in the LT Museum. It’s not signposted, but you can find it in the posters gallery, next to the upper-level entrance.
To recreate the original context of the artwork, it has been mounted onto an identical cabinet body and then put behind a glass wall.
It’s now on semi-permanent display.
Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO of London Transport Museum said: “Banksy’s work always sparks a reaction – whether it’s funny, political, or makes you think – and people really connect with it. Banksy’s art is part of the city’s story, loved by Londoners and visitors alike. Whilst this artwork could not remain in its original location, it’s fantastic to display it here in the Museum for visitors to enjoy it up close.”
