A small stenciled rat has appeared on a wall at Turbo Island in Bristol, England, sparking widespread rumors that the mysterious street artist Banksy may have created the piece or even purchased the iconic location. The artwork bears a strong resemblance to Banksy's signature style, particularly his frequent use of rats as recurring subjects in his street art.
Turbo Island, located at the corner of Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street, has served as Bristol's unofficial gathering spot for years, hosting impromptu raves, bonfires, and serving as a hangout for locals drinking and using drugs. The site has become an integral part of Bristol's counterculture scene and community identity.
Last year, ownership of Turbo Island transferred from one advertising company to another, raising significant concerns among locals about potential development plans. The site was purchased by Out of Hand, a Bedminster-based advertising company that specializes in flyering and billboard operations throughout Bristol, for £100,000. The firm manages the billboards at the location and had previously denied owning the site before later acknowledging this denial was an error.
Campaigners from the People's Republic of Stokes Croft are actively working to protect Turbo Island from future development by applying to the local council to register the area as a town or village green. This legal designation would provide permanent protection by ensuring public access rights to the space, preventing private development that could eliminate this beloved community gathering place.
The Banksy speculation intensified when Instagram user _diebroke shared what they called a "heavy heavy rumour" that the famous artist had "bought Turbo Island." The post noted that the rat stencil appears to be pointing toward the People's Republic of Stokes Croft building, potentially conveying the message "this belongs to the people." This symbolic positioning has fueled theories about the artwork's deeper meaning regarding community ownership and gentrification concerns.
Bristol Live first received reports about the potential new Banksy artwork in mid-July, though the artist has not claimed responsibility for the piece through his usual Instagram channel, which is typically how he authenticates his genuine works. One local resident observed the growing speculation, stating: "Rumours abound on Stokes Croft about who the artist is that has stenciled a picture of a rat on Turbo Island. There is certainly one artist connected with Bristol who has associated himself with a rat and who already has a large artwork on Stokes Croft."
The location holds particular significance in Banksy's history, as his famous "Mild Mild West" mural is located nearby on Stokes Croft and represents one of his earliest known works, having appeared in the late 1990s. The building displaying this iconic piece was put up for auction last year, adding to concerns about the commercialization of the area's street art heritage.
However, the mystery may have been solved when stencil artist Barry_Boem shared a photograph of the rat on Instagram and claimed responsibility for the piece. In his post, Barry_Boem explained: "While I was at Soestdijk Palace soaking in Kraftwerk's electronic magic, good friends were making serious moves in Bristol. New BarryBoem pieces just landed – big love for making it happen! Meet The Rats and the Mysterious Astronaut + Jellyfish – new spacey companions bringing mischief, movement, and a little madness to the streets."
The artist continued his explanation, praising Bristol as an ideal location for street art: "Bristol, with all its raw edges and vibrant soul, is the perfect canvas for stories like these. From palace beats to pavement bombs – how though? Just like that. Massive thanks to Lee + Nina and Vince for the good vibes, the support, and the ever-growing love for street art. Stay tuned, more to come." Despite this claim of responsibility, some community members remain skeptical and continue to speculate about Banksy's potential involvement in the Turbo Island situation.
