Banksy’s show will open in Glasgow, for the first time since 2009. He enters the art scene with an exhibition called “Cut & Run”. The famous street artist authorized the exhibition, which means the public will be able to see his work in a “different environment”. The show will run at the Gallery of Modern Art, from 18th Jun to 28th August.
Banksy’s Show: Unique Paintings and Stencils
The exhibition certainly offers unique content – paintings and stencils that the street artist uses to create his works, and by which he is recognizable. The audience can witness the artist’s work from 1998 until today – even the actual toilet. Banksy explained why he “kept the stencils hidden as if under lock and key”.
“I kept these stencils hidden away for years, mindful they could be used as evidence in a charge of criminal damage”, Banksy explained. He believes those moments passed, so they will now be exhibited as a work of art. “I’m not sure which is the greater crime”, he also said. The aim of the exhibition is to show the process of creating works of art.
Many among the artist’s well-known pieces, such as Kissing Coppers, which initially appeared on the facade of the Prince Albert bar in Brighton in 2004, were recreated using unique decals. Also, there is the 2014 Bristol artwork “Mobile Lovers” which shows a couple cuddling as each is staring at their phone over the other’s shoulder.
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Why Banksy Chose Glasgow?
Banksy show will also include Stormzy’s unity jack stabbing vest from his Glastonbury 2019 headlining performance. There is also a work involving a pillow dispute among an Israeli soldier and a Palestinian citizen. Banksy even included a thorough model demonstrating how Banksy destroyed his Girl With Balloon painting.
But why the artists chose Glasgow for his exhibiton? He especially selected the Glasgow location due to the Duke of Wellington monument outside the gallery, which had a traffic cone installed on top of it by the municipal government for at least four decades. The tag in the exhibit demonstrates how highly Banksy values renegade Glaswegian action.
“Welcome”, it reads. “If nothing else, you are going to see one masterpiece today – you just walked by it. For anyone who isn’t aware – the statue out the front has had a cone on its head continuously for the past 40 odd years. Despite the best efforts of the council and police, every time one is removed another takes its place”.
