Banksy's new graffiti art has come to light, traced to a location in the French city of Marseille. The artwork, featuring a stencilled lighthouse on a dull beige wall, was unveiled to the public on Thursday through images shared on Banksy's official Instagram account. Accompanying the striking visual is a message that reads: "I want to be what you saw in me."
The piece cleverly incorporates a false shadow originating from a nearby bollard, creating the illusion that the lighthouse is a silhouette of the mundane street furniture that typically populates urban landscapes. Initially, the precise location of the artwork was a mystery, but BBC Verify has confirmed it to be Rue Félix Fregier in southern France.
Images circulating on social media show the artwork alongside a blurred figure on a scooter, as well as another graffiti tag that reads "Yaze." This tag is reportedly associated with Canadian graffiti artist Marco The Polo, who has publicly acknowledged Banksy's influence on his work.
Using Google Street View, fans and followers can now see the broader view of the street as it appeared before the new piece was created. Throughout his career, Banksy has maintained his anonymity, relying on his Instagram account to authenticate his works.
Known for embedding poignant political messages within his art, Banksy has previously addressed themes such as immigration, war—specifically the ongoing conflict in Ukraine—and the dire issue of homelessness. However, some of his art, such as a series of animal depictions spread across various London locations last summer, leave viewers guessing about the underlying messages.
Before the lighthouse piece, Banksy released a striking artwork in December that depicted a Madonna and child; this piece bore an additional dramatic element as a fixture within the wall appeared as a bullet wound on the figure. As the mystery surrounding Banksy's art continues to unfold, fans eagerly await what may come next.
