Plastic statue of Putin on tiny tank turns up in London park

Sitting astride a tiny tank, a real-life-sized effigy of Russian President Vladimir Putin made its debut at Regent's Park in central London on Saturday (November 12), part of a travelling exhibition of pop-up art by French street artist James Colomina.

Parents and children alike reacted with surprise to the apparition of the bright red Putin sitting on a tiny tank, a little barrel sticking out from between his knees.

Colomina told Reuters he was showing the epoxy resin sculpture in various cities around the world to highlight the war in Ukraine, and what he says is Putin’s childish but dangerous behaviour. He declined to be interviewed on camera, saying he does not want to distract attention from his art.

Colomina travelled to London from his native city of Toulouse. He has previously installed the statue in Paris, Barcelona and New York.