Image: The artwork on display at London Transport Museum (Transport for London)
Transport museum preserves 2019 Banksy rat artwork originally found on TfL signal box in Croydon, marking first contemporary street art acquisition.
London Transport Museum has acquired and put on display a Banksy artwork that originally appeared on a Transport for London signal controller cabinet door in Croydon in October 2019. The acquisition marks the museum’s first contemporary street artwork by a globally recognised artist.
The artwork depicts a rat hanging from the arm of a clock and first appeared in front of the artist’s pop-up showroom installation, Gross Domestic Product. It was featured in a video posted by Banksy on Instagram in October 2019.
Transport for London removed the signal controller cabinet door, which still housed technology for nearby traffic lights and tram signals, to prevent theft or damage of the artwork. The museum has since mounted the artwork onto an identical cabinet body and accessioned it into London Transport Museum’s collection for preservation and display.
Elizabeth McKay, director and CEO of the museum, said Banksy’s work “always sparks a reaction – whether it’s funny, political, or makes you think – and people really connect with it.
“Banksy’s art is part of the city’s story, loved by Londoners and visitors alike. Whilst this artwork could not remain in its original location, it’s fantastic to display it here in the Museum for visitors to enjoy it up close”.
Earlier this year London Museum acquired a police box featuring a piece by Banksy, which is in its stores before it goes on permanent public display in 2026.
