some sort of Banksy retrospective
Banksy comments on the knife-stabbing epidemic with a stab-proof vest for Croydon-born superstar Stormzy to wear at his headlining act at Glastonbury.
In his own words:
“I made a customised stab-proof vest and thought – who could possibly wear this? Stormzy at Glastonbury.”
A few days later, Banksy published a Stormzy clip on his Youtube channel:
Banksy’s take on Brexit is well known, as seen in three pieces over the last two years. The first was the big mural in Dover, unveiled on 7 May 2017. The second piece contributed to last year’s summer exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, titled Vote to Love. And this year, Banksy is back at the RAA summer exhibition with an Archway salvaged from Heathrow Airport.
Pictures of the piece circulated in the media for a few days, and on 24 May, Banksy finally confirmed the work on his Instagram account.
Banksy hit the Venice Biennale uninvited with a contemporary message. In his own words on Instagram:
“Setting out my stall at the Venice Biennale. Despite being the largest and most prestigious art event in the world, for some reason I’ve never been invited.”
The official clip of the prank:
Devolved Parliament was originally exhibited at the Banksy vs. Bristol Museum in the summer of 2009. The show attracted over 300,000 visitors and was the most visited art exhibition in the UK that year.
The piece is one of Banksy’s largest oil paintings, measuring 4 metres by 2.5 metres. The artwork will be displayed again at Bristol Museum for 6 months, from 28 March to 1 September 2019.
The piece hanging at Bristol Museum in August 2019:
Some details:
Several independent Instagram accounts posted pictures of the new piece on 1 February.
Photos: @francas on Instagram
The Walled Off Hotel opened almost two years ago in Bethlehem, only six kilometres south of downtown Jerusalem, but on the other side of the wall. The Hotel is a piece of art in itself and, at the same time, a huge philosophical statement, all mixed with Banksy’s usual charm and wit. A visit is highly recommended. See the previous post: The Walled Off Hotel. Palestine, March 2017.
Team Banksy did the piece just a few miles from the Tata Steel mill in Port Talbot, southern Wales. Looking at the artwork from one angle, it depicts a child with a sledge, trying to catch the snowflakes with the tongue and hopeful to use the sledge if the snowfall continues.
Local councillor Nigel Thomas Hunt said to The Guardian:
“We’re buzzing down here. The placing of the work is very clever. You can look at the painting and see the furnaces in the background. We’re delighted. I’ve written to the council already and we need to secure this really quickly.”
The Guardian article continues: “This year, the World Health Organization said Port Talbot was the most polluted place in the UK. But in May, Neath Port Talbot council said the WHO got the figures wrong and had apologised.”
Banksy announced the raffle on Instagram: “Guess the weight of the boat, and you can win it. Details at http://www.choose.love”
It’s one of three refugee boats from an installation at Dismaland in Weston-super-Mare in September 2015:
It’s a text-based stencil incorporating a freehand dick. “Based on your browsing history the following graffiti has been recommended for you…”. The exact location is not confirmed. It’s a somewhat surprising artistic turn, but it’s not the first male genital in the Banksy catalogue.
Screenshot: @banksy
In Banksy’s own words, as announced 3 November on Instagram:
“Opening my first ever stall at a trade fair next week. I’ve painted a replica separation barrier to promote the Walled Off hotel, ironically the neighbours have complained it’s too tall. We’ll be at Palestine stand giving away free stuff, World Travel Fair, London Excel centre 6th and 7th November. Free to get in if you register online today and pretend to be a travel agent.”
A few days later, a new poster was announced. In Banksy’s own words:
“Free Palestine poster. Be advised we only have 1000 posters to hand out each day at the tourist fair. You can download one from the website at http://www.banksy.co.uk “
The “we” pronoun in Banksy’s Instagram text was represented by Walled Off Hotel manager Wisam Salsaa personally handing out the posters.
Banksy unofficial 