A bold new message in Allen Gardens questions the world’s most famous street artist
Something strange happened overnight in Shoreditch — and this time, it’s not a new Banksy. Or is it? On the morning of 21 September 2025, a mysterious new street art piece in Shoreditch was discovered in Allen Gardens (or Alien Gardens, if you’re local), and it’s already got the area’s art-watchers buzzing. Scribbled on the wall in plain black paint, the piece is simple, direct — and aimed straight at the king of subversive street art, signed, ominously: I AM.:
Dear Banksy,
Who are you?
Why do u do what u do?
What difference does it make?
A Street-Level Mic Drop in Shoreditch
This isn’t your average alleyway scribble. It’s a callout, an open letter, maybe even a provocation — dropped like a mic in the spiritual home of British street art. While Banksy remains famously anonymous, his work has long defined the language of subversive urban expression, with pieces appearing (and disappearing) across Shoreditch for over two decades.
But this latest intervention flips the script. Instead of speaking to the system, it speaks directly to the artist.
Who—or What—is “I AM”?
No one has claimed responsibility for the message. No social media drops. No digital tags. No QR codes. Just a short, handwritten manifesto-style graffiti with a signature that raises more questions than it answers. Is it a new anonymous collective? A wannabe rival? A postmodern art prank?
Could “I AM” be a reference to existentialism? Ego? Divinity? Or is it just a clever artist seizing the perfect Shoreditch wall for a bit of Banksy-baiting?
Reclaiming the Conversation
The timing is curious. London’s art scene is booming again this autumn. The David Bowie Centre just opened. London Design Festival is in full swing. And street art has never been more commercialised, commodified, or Instagrammable.
Could this be a reaction to the mainstreaming of street art, a reminder of its rebellious roots? Or simply a clever stunt designed to ignite conversation in a city constantly looking for meaning in its walls?
Allen Gardens: Still Ground Zero for Street Culture
This moment is a reminder that Shoreditch hasn’t lost its edge. Even as new developments creep in and galleries go slick, Allen Gardens remains raw, unpredictable, and occasionally profound.
Whether this piece lasts a day or a month, it’s already sparked the kind of authentic cultural dialogue most marketing teams would kill for. Passersby are snapping it, sharing it, decoding it. Locals are speculating wildly. And somewhere, Banksy might even be smirking.
Watch This Wall
If there’s one place in London where a single graffiti message can ripple globally, it’s Shoreditch. And if there’s one artist who can’t help but react, it’s Banksy.
Whether “I AM” is a new name to know or a fleeting mystery, this wall is now a conversation. And in true Shoreditch fashion, the art isn’t just on the bricks — it’s in the buzz.