Banksy’s ‘Piranhas’ moved to storage ahead of museum debut

Banksy’s iconic ‘Piranhas’ artwork has been moved into secure storage ahead of its permanent exhibition at the new London Museum, marking a significant cultural acquisition for the capital. The piece, which transformed a City of London police sentry box into a vibrant aquarium filled with sharp-toothed fish, was carefully relocated on August 26, 2025, and will remain in protective custody until the museum’s Smithfield location opens in 2026.bbc

The street art sensation first appeared in August 2024 on Ludgate Hill as part of Banksy’s nine-day animal-themed series that captivated London. The police box, which had stood sentinel since the 1990s, became an overnight attraction after Banksy confirmed its authenticity on Instagram. Thousands of visitors queued behind safety barriers at Guildhall Yard to glimpse the work before it was moved to the Guildhall’s South Ambulatory for additional protection.sky

From Street to Storage

The City of London Corporation’s decision to donate the artwork represents a strategic investment in cultural heritage. According to the official announcement from the City of London Corporation, the move supports their Destination City growth strategy, aimed at establishing the Square Mile as a global arts capital. Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, stated that “Banksy stopped Londoners in their tracks when this piece appeared in the Square Mile – and now we’re making it available to millions”.cityoflondon

Museum’s Cultural Expansion

The acquisition transforms the London Museum’s collection scope dramatically. Glyn Davies, head of curatorial at London Museum, emphasized that “with the arrival of Banksy’s ‘Piranhas’, our collection now spans from Roman graffiti to our first piece of contemporary street art”. This addition represents the museum’s first contemporary street art piece by a globally recognized artist, positioning it alongside the institution’s seven million objects chronicling 450,000 years of London’s history.bbc

Economic Investment and Future Impact

The £437 million museum project, with £222 million pledged by the City Corporation, is expected to attract two million visitors annually and create over 1,500 jobs. The Smithfield location will offer free permanent public access to the Piranhas artwork, ensuring its preservation for future generations while contributing to the area’s transformation into a cultural destination alongside the Barbican Centre.cityoflondon

The Piranhas piece was among the most celebrated works from Banksy’s 2024 animal series, which also featured monkeys swinging from bridges, elephants reaching toward each other, and a howling wolf on a satellite dish. While several pieces from the collection faced vandalism or removal, the piranha artwork’s rescue and preservation ensures its legacy as part of London’s cultural narrative.bbc