A Journey Through Banksy’s Bristol Showcase

Some time ago, I wrote about the Banksy Exhibition that took place in 2009 at the Bristol City Museum. If you haven’t heard of Banksy before, he’s a well-known street artist from Bristol who has gained significant fame.

In Bristol, you can still find a few of his artworks around town, although many have been painted over by the city council. If Banksy were to have a major exhibition, Bristol would be the perfect place for it, given the local appreciation for his work.

When the exhibition opened, I noticed long lines outside the City Museum on my way to work. As a Banksy fan, I planned to visit once the initial crowds subsided. However, the crowds never diminished. Since the museum and the exhibition were free, the lines only grew longer each day, eventually blocking a side road and necessitating signs indicating the wait times.

Banksy is known for maintaining his anonymity, and no one really knows who he is, except perhaps some fellow street artists and my son, who supposedly attends the same school. The possibility that Banksy might be in the queue with you adds an extra layer of excitement.

While Banksy still creates street art occasionally, he now seems to focus more on collectible pieces. His exhibition featured works with an Old Masters theme, including Turner-esque landscapes and pieces in gilt frames, seamlessly integrated with 19th-century artwork on the museum’s first floor.

I particularly enjoy the humor in Banksy’s work, which often mocks the ‘serious’ art world. For instance, one piece parodied a Damien Hirst spotty picture, humorously suggesting it had been rolled over by one of the rats, a recurring motif in Banksy’s art.

The exhibition also featured a patriotic ‘Best of British’ theme, but with a twist—the little girl in the artwork was wearing a flak jacket. Banksy often uses children in his street art to deliver political or anti-war messages with a touch of irony.

When I finally visited the exhibition, it was worth every minute of the wait. I even went around a second time to ensure I saw all the pieces. It was refreshing to be at an art exhibition where photography was encouraged, aligning with Banksy’s belief that art should be accessible to everyone.

For more of Banksy’s work, you can visit his website.