Written by An international exhibition of work by pseudonymous British street artist Banksy, called “Without Limits: The Art of Banksy”, is currently touring. The exhibition claims to amass hundreds of artworks collected over the years. The exhibition is completely unaffiliated and publicly unendorsed by Banksy himself, who is against his work being used for profit. If you are a Banksy fan, you should not attend this exhibition because it stands contrary to the messaging in his art.
Who is Banksy?
Banksy is a global phenomenon known for his provocative and politically charged artworks. Born in Bristol, England, his true identity remains shrouded in mystery, adding to the allure and mystique surrounding his work.
Banksy’s career began in the early 1990s when he started creating graffiti art on the streets of Bristol. His signature stenciling technique quickly gained attention for its striking visual impact and biting social commentary. Banksy’s art often features satirical takes on political issues, capitalism, war, and societal norms, challenging viewers to question the status quo.
In the early 2000s, Banksy’s notoriety soared as his works began appearing in cities around the world, from London to New York to Palestine. His unauthorized pieces popped up on walls, bridges, and buildings, sparking both admiration and controversy. Banksy’s subversive style and clever wit earned him a dedicated following and established him as one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.
Throughout his career, Banksy’s identity has remained a closely guarded secret, fueling speculation and intrigue. While some criticize him for his anonymity and perceived commercialization of street art, others applaud his fearless approach to tackling contentious issues and challenging societal norms.
Despite his commercial success, Banksy remains committed to using his art as a form of activism. He has donated proceeds from his work to various charitable causes and continues to shine a light on social injustices through his thought-provoking pieces.
Why is there a Banksy Exhibition?
Despite his underground roots, Banksy’s work soon found its way into mainstream culture. His pieces began fetching high prices at auctions, attracting collectors and celebrities alike. Yet, Banksy maintained his anonymity, refusing to conform to the traditional art world’s expectations.
Banksy’s distinctive style lends well to branding, marketing and corporatisation. The number of products that have been sold based on Banksy’s work is staggering. It is understandable that people want to have art that resonates in their lives – and so unfortunetly in a world full of products people will clambour to have a piece of Banksy.
That is where the Without Limits exhibition enters the picture. A display of Banksy work, taken from installations all over the world. This includes removing pieces from the walls they were painted on. It is an ambitious project and allows people to view many pieces at once, in real life. But, it will cost you over $50 per adult to do so.
Why You Shouldn’t Attend
With the broader context of his career in mind, the idea of a profit-generating exhibition funded by private collectors is the ideaological opposite of Banksy’s message. Instead of “sharing the art”, an exhibition of this nature locks Banksy’s art behind a paywall and turns it into a money-making enterprise.
Consider Banksy’s own words against the modern art world and society’s approach to art:
The people who run our cities dont understand graffiti because they think nothing has the right to exist unless it makes a profit.
Painting something that defies the law of the land is good. Painting something that defies the law of the land and the law of gravity at the same time is ideal.
The art world is the biggest joke going. It’s a rest home for the overprivileged, the pretentious, and the weak.
It is quite clear that the man who sends out message as anti-establishment as these would not be satifiesd with an exhibition like Without Limits bearing his name. He has previously called this exhibition “organised entirely without the artist’s knowledge or involvement”, which proves that those going to the exhibition to “support” Banksy are doing the exact opposite.
Those who believe in Banksy’s message, in the push for freedom of expression and freedom from oppressive governments, should avoid this exhibition. Instead, live the spirit of Banksy by sharing your own thoughts and opinions on a platform like Crokes – a place where true free speech lives.
Share your art, share your real opinions on life. Do not engage in these consumer experiences that are designed to keep you merely entertained. Banksy’s art is there for you to think, and we want you to think deeply about whether this exhibition is really worth giving your time or money to.
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