New Banksy artwork installation featuring Stormzy stab vest spotted in London
Exclusive: Elusive artist appears to have set up shop in Stormzy’s hometown
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Your support makes all the difference.A new Banksy installation has been spotted in south London, featuring either the original or a replica of the Union Jack stab vest worn by Stormzy during his headline set at Glastonbury.
The work appeared in a formally derelict site beneath a PureGym in Croydon, and displays a number of different “rooms” including one showing a baby’s crib with CCTV cameras pointing at it.
The “Stormzy vest” is accompanied by an explainer that reads: “A version of the ‘John Bull’ English gents waistcoat updated for modern times. This customised body armour is capable of stopping bullets up to .45 calibre and is fully stab proof.
“As worn by Stormzy at Glastonbury festival (because it’s very dangerous there). Yet not machine washable [sic]. Signed. Edition of 5 plus 2 A/P.”
The explainer also includes a website link, grossdomesticproduct.com, which shows the message “hello gdp3”.
Above the shop window read the words: “Gross Domestic Product.”
East Croydon-based music therapist Fraser Moyle, 29, was on his way to work when he spotted the installation, and said a friend who works nearby told him that work appeared to begin on Saturday 28 September. The downstairs part of the building had reportedly been derelict for months.
“I immediately thought it could be a Banksy work due to the nature of the style, layout and political statements made in each window,” Mr Moyle told The Independent. “I spent the next half an hour staring in awe at the display! It’s amazing to have this artwork on show so close to home, and as a musician I think having Stormzy’s vest from Glastonbury in Croydon is special.”
Stormzy, who hails from Croydon, wore the vest during his set on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival this year, a fact revealed by the elusive graffiti artist after the show.
“I made a customised stab-proof vest and thought – who could possibly wear this?” he wrote on Instagram. “Stormzy at Glastonbury.”
Stormzy later commented: “Absolutely f***ing speechless,” on Twitter, apparently overwhelmed at the moment.
Banksy has since confirmed via his Instagram account that the work is his, and that the items will go up for sale.
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