Exclusive: Street artist Pegasus unveils mural depicting Donald Trump as gun-toting Statue of Liberty in London

Artist says piece is a reaction to 'unbelievable' crime rate in London Hits out at Theresa May over cuts to frontline police funding
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Martin Coulter10 April 2018

A new street art mural depicting Donald Trump as the Statue of Liberty with a raised gun has appeared in London.

The elusive graffiti artist - known only as Pegasus - told the Standard the piece was a reaction to "unbelievable" levels of gun violence on either side of the Atlantic, hitting out at Theresa May's cuts to frontline police.

A Chicago native, Pegasus has lived in London for 15 and cites the likes of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Banksy as influences on his work.

The 34-year-old artist said: "I've been shocked by the way gun and knife crime appears to have gone out of control in London.

Pegasus Street Art - In pictures

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"Of course, I'm from Chicago (one of the most dangerous states in the US) so, y'know, I'm used to the realities of that...the possibility you might get shot up on your front door.

"Gun control is such a passionate subject leading to fiery debates on both sides of the argument. It is sad to see that gun culture in the UK seems to have taken inspiration from America and their lack of safety control.

Pegasus Street Art: Theresa May 'Dressed to Kill' - In pictures

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"And it's not as if I don't feel safe in London but...things have clearly got worse. We need more police on the streets. All these cuts are clearly having an effect."

The Trump portrait, painted over two hours on Tuesday morning, is the latest in a string of Pegasus's political works - one of his most famous featuring Mrs May mocked up as Cruella de Vil, carrying a dead fox below the caption: "Dressed to kill".

"I started off as a Pop artist but after a while I realised I could use my work to start a conversation and spread my voice.

"I'm obviously not a fan of Trump but, with the levels of gun violence climbing the way they are right now, he has an opportunity to change things - I don't want to see that wasted."

London's murder rate recently overtook New York City's for the first time ever, with 15 dead in February and 22 fatal stabbings and shootings in March.

Home secretary Amber Rudd recently denied cuts to frontline policing were responsible for the spike in gun and knife crime, claiming statistics showed otherwise.

Follow Pegasus on Instagram here.

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