Discover Banksy’s Iconic Works in America

Tracking down the elusive Banksy’s work is almost as challenging as the ongoing quest to unveil his identity. While Banksy is among the most recognizable street artists globally, this notoriety poses a double-edged sword for street art enthusiasts; almost immediately after confirmation of a new work, other vandals may deface it.

Consequently, much of Banksy’s artwork worldwide has been lost, and the remaining pieces are often shielded under plexiglass or situated behind protective fences. If you’re eager to peer through these covers to appreciate Banksy’s artistry, here’s where you can find his works throughout the United States.

San Francisco

Although San Francisco once boasted at least six Banksy pieces, only one original work remains intact. Located in the Mission neighborhood, famous for its murals, Banksy’s ‘Bird Singing in Tree’ can still be viewed through a fence at the corner of Erie and Mission Streets, near Cafe Prague. Originally, this simple work featuring a tree trunk and a bird chirping a horn was the sole artwork on the building; however, today, it’s surrounded by a forest of trees created by other artists.

Park City, Utah

Thanks to the diligence of local residents, all three Banksy works in Park City, Utah have been preserved. One artwork was safely stored, one was immediately covered, and a third was meticulously restored after being heavily defaced.

Both public Banksy artworks in Park City are found on Main Street: ‘Praying Boy’ features a young boy kneeling with a pink halo and angel wings at 537 Main Street, having been restored after an almost complete covering. The second work, ‘Camera Man and Flower,’ located at 402 Main Street, portrays a man pulling up a flower to capture the perfect shot. Each piece is now safeguarded by plexiglass, framed in wood, and accompanied by plaques emphasizing their significance.

New Orleans

In honor of the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in 2008, Banksy created a series of works in New Orleans, largely commenting on the government’s response to the tragedy. Currently, only two of the initial artworks persist, partly because they were situated on buildings that experienced less damage during the hurricane.

The most accessible piece is ‘Umbrella Girl,’ located at St. Claude Avenue and Kerlerec Street, not too far from the vibrant French Quarter. It portrays a girl extending her hand from beneath an umbrella amidst a downpour. At the opposite end of the French Quarter and near New Orleans’ Central Business District lies ‘Graffiti Eradicator’ at Clio and Carondelet Streets. This piece features a recurring character in Banksy’s satire: a graffiti eradicator engaged in painting over vandalism.

New York City

New York City was once a hub of Banksy’s creations; however, today, only one remains: ‘Hammer Boy’ on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. This work illustrates a young boy brandishing a massive hammer at a red standpipe and is currently encased in plexiglass for protection from vandalism.

Additionally, two other Banksy pieces exist in the broader New York area in Brooklyn. In 2018, Banksy placed two works on walls near an abandoned gas station at the corner of Coney Island Avenue and Avenue I in Midwood. While neither piece has been officially named, one depicts a seal balancing a ball, and the other illustrates a man in a suit and hard hat presenting a red line graph to children, often interpreted as a critique of gentrification.

Los Angeles

Another fascinating location to view Banksy’s work is Los Angeles. There are two remaining Banksy pieces in this vibrant city, both situated in popular areas. The first, ‘PARKING,’ is found in downtown L.A. at the intersection of South Broadway and West 9th Streets. It shows a girl swinging from the ‘A’ in the word “Park.” Initially, this artwork overlooked a parking lot, but it now resides in a small alleyway between buildings.

The second piece, ‘Selfie Stick,’ is located on North La Brea Avenue, a few blocks from TCM Chinese Theatre. It exhibits a couple in souvenir t-shirts holding a selfie stick directed at a security camera. Given the prevalence of selfie sticks along nearby Hollywood Avenue, it serves as a clear manifestation of Banksy’s critical commentary.