Banksy unveils new art depicting stargazing figures in London

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Elusive street artist Banksy appeared to confirm Monday that a new mural in London, depicting two children lying down and pointing up at the sky, is his latest work.

The artist posted two photos of the artwork on his official Instagram account Monday, hours after its appearance on a wall on the side of a building in Bayswater, west London, sparked speculation over whether Banksy was behind it.

The black and white mural, painted above a garage, depicts two figures dressed in winter hats and boots lying on the ground. One of them is pointing a finger upward.

An identical image appeared at the foot of a tower in central London on Monday, but the graffiti artist did not post that version on his account.

A black and white mural at the foot of a building depicting two figures dressed in winter hats and boots lying on the ground, with one of them pointing a finger upwards. — A new artwork — suspected to be by Banksy — is seen near the Centre Point building in London. The renowned street artist shared a post on Instagram on Monday indicating authorship of an identical work that appeared in another part of the city. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Banksy began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world’s best-known artists. His paintings and installations sell for millions of dollars at auction and have drawn thieves and vandals.

While his work is often critical of government policy on migration and war, the latest artwork did not seem to carry an overt political message.

In September, he made headlines with a mural showing a judge holding a gavel looming over an unarmed protester holding a blood-splattered placard.

A faded mural on a wall depicting a figure using his gavel to strike another figure on the ground and holding up a sign. — The remains of Banksy’s artwork outside London’s Royal Courts of Justice, which shows a judge using his gavel to strike a protester, are visible after an attempt to remove it in September. (Joanna Chan/The Associated Press)

That piece, which appeared on an external wall of a Royal Courts of Justice building, was swiftly covered up. Authorities said it had to be removed out of consideration for the building’s historical significance.