New Orleans, Orleans Parish / Public art
Kerlerec Street Banksy wall
Discover the Umbrella Girl, a rare surviving stencil by world-renowned artist Banksy, created in 2008 as a poignant response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Where is the Kerlerec Street Banksy wall located?
The wall, commonly known as Umbrella Girl, is located at the corner of Kerlerec and North Rampart streets in New Orleans.
What is this artwork known for?
Known as 'Umbrella Girl,' this piece was created by Banksy in 2008 as part of a street-art series responding to Hurricane Katrina.
Is the mural still in its original location?
Yes, it is one of the few remaining Banksy works still standing in its original location in New Orleans.
How is the artwork being preserved?
The graffiti has been covered with plexiglass in an effort to keep it in good condition.
What should I check before going?
Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.
What to know
The Kerlerec Street Banksy wall features the stencil known as Umbrella Girl, located at the corner of Kerlerec and North Rampart streets. This piece was part of a secretive visit by the British street art superstar in 2008, during which he created 14 paintings on walls throughout the city, from the Lower Ninth Ward to Uptown. These works were specifically designed as a response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. While many of the original street art pieces have been destroyed or covered up over the years, Umbrella Girl remains one of the few remaining works still standing in its original location. To help preserve the artwork in good condition, the mural has been protected with a layer of plexiglass. The site has seen its share of drama, including a bold attempt in February 2014 where four men arrived with a U-Haul truck and began drilling into the wall to illegally excavate the mural. Despite these attempts at removal, the piece continues to be a point of interest for art lovers and urban explorers in New Orleans.
Visitor tips
- Allow a few minutes to examine the plexiglass protection and the stencil's detail.
- Be mindful of traffic when standing at the corner of North Rampart and Kerlerec streets.
- Keep an eye out for other surviving Banksy pieces, like the Gray Ghost portrait, if you are exploring the city's street art.
Nearby context
Located at the intersection of North Rampart and Kerlerec streets, this piece of public art anchors a corner of the neighborhood, serving as a testament to the city's resilience and the global recognition of its recovery efforts.
Sources
Evidence and links
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Public Art in New Orleans
You can still see a girl with an umbrella on the corner of Kerlerec and North Rampart streets.
neworleans.com -
Banksy Sales Spur Illegal Mural Excavation in New Orleans
On the morning of February 21, four men pulled up with a U-Haul truck, erected plywood around the mural, and began to drill at the wall in…
news.artnet.com -
Footprints: Vandalizing vandalism and the measures to protect Banksy
Banksy’s Umbrella Girl, which is on the corner of North Rampart Street and Kerlerec Street in New Orleans
vianolavie.org -
New Orleans man on quest to find three missing Banksy art pieces
Jesse Zuefle is the self-proclaimed caretaker of Banksy's “Umbrella Girl” painting on North Rampart and Kerlerec Streets in New Orleans.
yahoo.com -
One of New Orleans' remaining Banksys is gone after 16 years
The British street art superstar Banksy paid a secretive visit to New Orleans in 2008, leaving behind 14 paintings on walls around the city…
sunherald.com