Banksy - Peckham rock

Banksy Peckham Rock wooden postcard.

Size 18cm x 12cm.

This artwork has been released by the British Museum with the permission of Pest Control and is therefore an official piece of Banksy.

Peckham Rock is one of Banksy’s most famous acts of artistic mischief. In two thousand five, the artist created this fake prehistoric artifact and secretly placed it in the British Museum without permission. The object is a piece of rough cardboard shaped like a rock, featuring a drawing of a primitive figure pushing a supermarket trolley.

The piece remained unnoticed by museum staff for several days before being removed. Through this unexpected intervention, Banksy challenges the authority of cultural institutions and questions how history and art are defined. The combination of ancient style and modern commentary creates a humorous yet sharp reflection on consumer culture, power structures, and the value of art in public life.

Peckham Rock is not just a visual joke. It stands as a symbol of rebellion, encouraging viewers to question what is accepted as authentic and what voices are missing from the official narrative. Years later, the museum itself included the piece in its permanent collection, further blurring the lines between outsider and institution.

Banksy, born in the early 1970s in Bristol, United Kingdom, is an anonymous street artist whose politically charged stencil works have appeared unexpectedly on walls around the world. Emerging from the underground art scene of Bristol, his work combines dark humor with sharp social commentary, often addressing themes like war, consumer culture, and authority.

Despite his global fame, Banksy has never revealed his identity. His secrecy adds to the power of his actions, turning each new appearance into a mystery and an event. From the streets of Bristol to exhibitions in major cities around the world, his work continues to surprise, provoke, and inspire debate.

Banksy has gained global recognition through major independent projects such as the Barely Legal exhibition in Los Angeles in 2006 and the art installation park Dismaland in Weston super Mare in 2015. More recently, The Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem reflects his ongoing commitment to using art as a tool for protest, storytelling, and political awareness.