Possible Banksy Statue Appears in Central London

A mysterious statue bearing what appears to be street artist Banksy's signature has appeared overnight on a plinth in Waterloo Place, central London, drawing crowds and fueling speculation about its creator and meaning.

The sculpture depicts a suited figure striding toward the edge of the plinth, its face obscured by a billowing flag held aloft. The word "Banksy" is carved or scribbled on the rear or base of the plinth. Located near historic landmarks including the Crimean War Memorial, statues of King Edward VII and Florence Nightingale, and close to Pall Mall, the work materialized without announcement, consistent with Banksy's unannounced installations. Passersby spotted it Wednesday morning, and it quickly attracted onlookers taking photographs amid growing online buzz.

Banksy, the Bristol-based artist who rose to prominence in the 1990s with stenciled graffiti on walls and buildings worldwide, has not confirmed the piece through his official Instagram account or other channels. The artist typically verifies new works via social media posts, as he did in December with murals in Bayswater and near Centre Point showing two children in winter clothing lying on the ground, one...