This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Banksy-fied "Elephant" Tank Was Actually Somebody's Home
After street artist Banksy showed up and left several of his marks in Los Angeles last month, it didn't take long for his work to get taken down. Within days, or even hours, his words and images were taken down or boarded up or painted over. Out on Pacific Coast Highway, where Santa Monica transitions into the Palisades, a large tank that was Banksy-fied with the words "This Looks a Bit Like an Elephant," has not only been removed, but is up for sale. But that tank wasn't just a tank--it was someone's home.
Tachowa Covington aka Rollerball has lived inside the tank for about seven years. In fact, it’s probably a good guess, although I can’t say for sure, that Tachowa was still living in the tank when Banksy painted it, given that he shows up in the video that Banksyelephant.com (the folks trying to sell the tank) have posted on their homepage and says that he saw Banksy paint the tank.
The question is: Did Banksy know that the tank was home to Tachowa before he painted his message on it? Vandalog says "it seems possible that this piece was about homelessness (the elephant in the room) and that Banksy was aware that the tank was Tachowa’s home."
However, local street art blog Melrose + Fairfax point out that the tank has been the focus of contention, as Tachowa has tried to get possession of the title to the land while others were working to ensure the tank was removed, since some locals consider it a blight on the landscape. If other pieces of Banksy's led to immediate take-down, could he have targeted the tank because he, too, wanted to make sure it was taken down?
A video on the Bansky Elephant sale site shows Tachowa saying he was there when Banksy put the writing on the tank. The site explains their motives for removing and selling the piece:
"Due to announcements by the city of Los Angeles and circulating rumors to destroy and remove the water tower we have personally acquired ownership to preserve and protect the work of Banksy in hopes that it will end up exhibited in a respected museum where his work will live on without harm."
Sponsored message
Image via Banksy's website
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
