Banksy

Having only really seen stories about his artwork in the news, I went into the exhibition knowing very little about Banksy and his extensive collection. Still, I left with a much greater appreciation for his artwork.

The exhibition began as we walked through two cardboard security gates marking the start of “Dismaland”, in which Banksy had created a satirical take on a theme park. This part of the exhibition featured Banksy’s “Girl with A Balloon” artwork, a staple of his collection and regarded as an icon of 21st-century art. It was also fascinating to see the self-shredding version of this, an exhibit known as “Love is in the Bin,” which was sold for over £18 million at auction.

One of my favourite parts of the exhibition was Banksy’s take on Andy Warhol’s Monroe portraits. They were based on Kate Moss, a commentary on Moss as the Monroe of the new millennium. The exhibition then continued with another highlight for me: Banksy’s stencilling of animal kingdoms across London, produced in 2024.

These were all in a room with bright pink strobe lighting and fake green plants, creating an immersive atmosphere.

Other highlights of the exhibition included “Prankadilly Circus” and the “Walled off Hotel”. Prankadilly Circus was a subversive Banksy-style twist of Piccadilly Circus, featuring various Banksy artworks such as a replica of “Sweep it under the carpet”. This was initially displayed on Chalk Road in London and commented on governments’ reluctance to address global issues such as poverty. The recreation of the Walled Off Hotel was of Banksy’s boutique hotel, which served as a protest space and an art gallery.

To conclude the exhibition, we entered the room of mirrors, an immersive space that showcased several of Banksy’s artworks and allowed us to experience them as they were meant to be seen, closer to their roots in street art. In true Banksy fashion, we then exited through the gift shop before leaving our own mark on the graffiti wall.

Overall, the exhibition offered a fascinating deep dive into Banksy’s work. I found his pieces to be a compelling commentary on social inequality and communism. It was well worth the visit, a memorable introduction to Banksy’s collection and an enjoyable first trip of the year with Westminster Tutors.

Harvey, Y13+

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