Renowned street artist Banksy’s latest artwork left fans scratching their heads as they tried to work out the location of his latest work – after he shared a snap of it to Instagram that lacked any clues
Elusive street artist Banksy triggered a frenzy of speculation this week by posting images of his latest work on Instagram, showcasing a lighthouse silhouette accompanied by the enigmatic phrase, “I want to be what you see in me”. By sharing the snaps without a caption or location, the Bristolian left his followers playing detective, trying to pinpoint where in the world the artwork might be.
A second photo offers scant clues, merely depicting an older couple walking their dogs past the lighthouse. Undeterred, social media sleuths have taken to Instagram and X to share theories, with many speculating that the artwork could be located in southern France. On X, one enthusiast suggested: “A new Banksy style… somewhere in Marseille,” while a French user chimed in: “The latest Banksy. Maybe in Marseille?”
READ MORE: ‘Banksy chose us as his Dismaland – but we’ve got big plans for Weston-super-Mare’
Meanwhile on Instagram, another fan mused: “A silent cry for redemption… the lighthouse is a symbol of hope and guidance but where the f*** is this located (Googles lighthouses in the UK)?” This was met with a curt reply from another individual, who simply penned: “Marseille.”
Others corroborated the theory, with comments including, “Yup – Le Panier, Marseille” and, “It’s in Marseille”. A third person even claimed to have pinpointed the artwork’s exact whereabouts, declaring: “Found it: 1 Rue Félix Fregier, 13007 Marseille, France.”
The interpretation of the artwork remains a mystery, although it’s speculated that the quote within it may be borrowed from the song ‘Lonely’ by Tennessee country band, Lonestar.
The second verse of the tune reads: “You’re like God in this world/Fragile, beautiful/There’s so much trust in your eyes/They make me remember, blue skies and sunshine/I want to be what you see in me/I want to love you the way that you love me.”
Banksy’s creations frequently bear a political undertone, addressing issues such as immigration, homelessness and the conflict in Ukraine.
In 2005, the artist and his crew painted seven murals on the West Bank Wall, a structure erected by the Israeli government despite being declared unlawful by the International Court of Justice.
However, the artist has also unveiled a series of artworks with more cryptic messages, leaving the inspiration behind some shrouded in mystery.
In the summer of 2024, Banksy embarked on a nine-day spree around London, unveiling a series of animal-themed artworks featuring monkeys, wolves, pelicans, goats, cats and elephants.
All of these are rendered in his signature black stencil style, beginning with a mountain goat at Kew Bridge on August 5. This was succeeded by elephants in Chelsea, monkeys on Brick Lane, Tower Hamlets, a solitary wolf at Rye Lane, Peckham, pelicans in Walthamstow, a black panther on Edgware Road, piranhas at Ludgate Hill, rhinos on Westmoor Street, Charlton and finally, a gorilla adorning the security shutters of London Zoo.