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By RICHARD MARSDEN, GENERAL REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
For over 20 years, Banksy’s artwork has adorned the sides of city buildings, a London tube train and even his own bathroom.
So it would appear to be a difficult task to fit all 200 examples in one place.
But recreations of the mysterious artist’s complete works have been brought together for the first time in a single exhibition.
The display has already wowed 3.5 million visitors across 36 venues around Europe and further afield – and opened for the first time in the UK yesterday.
Visitors can view recreations of iconic works, from the notorious Girl With Balloon shredding moment, the thought-provoking Devolved Parliament, to a fully ‘Banksified’ London Underground carriage and a towering seven-foot elephant installation.
The ‘interactive art experience’ – on show in Manchester – gives visitors ‘a comprehensive overview and insight into the complete works of the genius and exceptional artist’ who began his street art in Bristol in the 2000s.
Although there have been other displays featuring Banksy’s art, ‘The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind’ is believed to be the first time examples of all his works have been exhibited in one place.
There is also a video screening that ‘illuminates the most important stages’ of the anonymous street artist’s renowned career.
Banksy’s ‘Because I’m worthless’ message conveyed his critical view of capitalism
Banksy’s Elephant in the Room – originally featuring a live elephant – conveyed a message about poverty
The original ‘vandalised phone box’ sculpture was installed in Soho Square, London
Kissing Coppers was first unveiled on the wall of The Prince Albert pub in Brighton in 2004
Banksy’s ‘Paint Pot Angel’ – a recreation of the moment a classical angel sculpture at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery was crowned with a dripping paint can in a message about defiance
The exhibition, an interactive collection of graffiti, photographs, sculptures, video installations and prints, is being shown at Depot Mayfield, near the city’s Piccadilly Station.
Organisers said that in line with Banksy’s own principle that ‘Copyright is for losers © TM’, the event is not officially authorised, owing to the artist’s continued anonymity.
Open to all, standard adult tickets start at £22, while entry is free for under 6s and discounted for 7-16 year-olds, seniors and all NHS workers.
The exhibition runs until June 28th.
A cat features repeatedly in Banksy’s work, here with slogan ‘disturb the comfortable’
Suicide Man sculpture depicts a classical statue wearing an explosive belt
Spy Booth shows stenciled government spies stood around an existing telephone booth
Over 200 items of Banksy’s work – much of which contains ironic social commentary – have been recreated at exhibition
A take on Banksy’s Girl With a Balloon which shows only the balloon, with the girl section of the picture shredded
The Mystery of Banksy exhibition also aims to raise funds for Manchester’s Christie Cancer Hospital, with The Christie Charity as its official partner.
It will be supporting the charity’s appeal towards a new Total Body PET-CT scanner.
Louise Hadley, Chief Executive of The Christie Charity, says: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to be the chosen charity for The Mystery of Banksy, A Genius Mind exhibition. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us and one that will ultimately benefit cancer patients both now and in the future.’
Future dates and locations for the exhibition are to be announced.
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