A new Banksy mural has appeared on the exterior of the Royal Courts of Justice in central London.
The artwork shows a judge, dressed in the traditional black robe and wig, striking a protester lying on the ground, with blood splattering onto the protester’s placard.
Photos shared on social media suggest the mural has already been shielded with plastic sheeting and metal barriers. Security personnel are stationed outside the building, and the piece sits beneath a CCTV camera.
Banksy, the Bristol-based street artist, confirmed the work on Instagram in his usual style, posting a photo of the mural with the caption: “Royal Courts Of Justice. London.”
The piece is located on the outer wall of the Queen’s Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex.
Known for his stencilled graffiti that critiques government, war, and capitalism, Banksy has recently been active in London. Last summer, he launched an animal-themed series, including a gorilla lifting a shutter at London Zoo, piranhas swimming on a police sentry box, and a howling wolf on a Peckham rooftop—some of which were removed shortly after being revealed.