Street art icon Banksy has once again captured the world’s attention with a new, striking piece. Revealed on Thursday, May 30, 2025, the artwork’s location, initially a brief mystery, has now been confirmed in the vibrant southern French city of Marseille.
Details of the Marseille Artwork
The piece features a stark stencil of a lighthouse painted on a plain, beige wall. Beneath the image are the poignant words: “I want to be what you saw in me.”
The true ingenuity of the artwork lies in how it interacts with its specific location. Situated within a tunnel section of Rue Félix Fregier, a street lined with simple bollards, Banksy has incorporated the existing urban environment into the work. A false shadow is cleverly drawn on the pavement, positioned to appear as an extension of the natural shadow cast by a nearby bollard. This creates a remarkable illusion, making the lighthouse seem like a silhouette cast by the mundane street furniture itself – a characteristic touch of Banksy’s environmental interaction.
Location Confirmed: Rue Félix Fregier
Following the artwork’s initial reveal via Banksy’s official Instagram account, its exact whereabouts became a subject of much speculation. While online images quickly placed the piece in Marseille, the precise street remained elusive for a short period.
BBC Verify, along with confirmations from locals who contacted outlets like Bristol Live, pinpointed the location as Rue Félix Fregier. This street is described as a back street in the Saint Lambert area, situated just south of Marseille’s Old Port and close to the Mediterranean Sea. The artwork is specifically found within an open-sided tunnel section of the road.
Adding to its significance, this piece has been identified as Banksy’s first new artwork revealed in 2025.
Context and Banksy’s Practice
Banksy, whose true identity remains a closely guarded secret throughout his career, typically uses his official Instagram account as the sole method for authenticating his works. This latest piece was confirmed through this channel on Thursday.
Known for imbuing his street art with powerful political and social commentary, Banksy’s previous works have often addressed themes such as immigration, the war in Ukraine, and homelessness. However, the meaning of some pieces, including a series depicting animals across London last summer or the evocative text accompanying the new Marseille lighthouse, is often left open to interpretation, sparking discussion among viewers.
This new piece follows a work posted by the artist in December, which depicted a Madonna and child, incorporating a fixture in the wall to create the visual effect of a bullet wound in the child’s chest.
Interestingly, online images circulating of the Marseille artwork also show a graffiti tag seemingly reading “Yaze” further along the wall. This tag reportedly matches that used by Canadian graffiti artist Marco The Polo, who has publicly cited Banksy as an inspiration, though the connection’s significance to the piece itself is unclear.
Local Excitement and Impact
The appearance of a Banksy in Marseille has generated considerable buzz and excitement within the city. Locals quickly discovered the piece, expressing delight at the world-renowned artist choosing their city, known for its vibrant art scene and diverse culture. Residents described the find as “huge.”
As is common with new Banksy installations, the artwork has already become a major draw. Hundreds of visitors were reportedly present at the site on Friday morning, eager to see the piece firsthand. The temporary nature of outdoor murals means they are highly sought after, sometimes leading to their removal or even theft.
References
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c331m8prmd1o
- https://ca.news.yahoo.com/banksy-revealed-location-remains-mystery-194248050.html
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-30/new-banksy-artwork-unveiled-location-unkown/105359876
- https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/exact-location-new-banksy-artwork-10225923
- https://www.aol.com/banksy-revealed-location-remains-mystery-194248367.html
