On the Banksy Exhibition

So finally I went to the Banksy exhibition yesterday in Bristol. I have to say I love the guy, I have a book of the stuff he's done in Bristol and its just all so good. I love his sense of humour, his playful anti-establishment messages and comments on everything from poverty to socialism. However, when you read interviews with him he doesn't seem to want people to take him too seriously. This seems ironic when his subject matter is deliberately controversial.

The polemics continue in my mind after attending the exhibition. Set in the beautiful but somewhat classical Bristol Museum just yards from my own department Banksy has overtaken the entire bottom floor and evidence of his tinkering are over all 3 floors.  But what of the location? As pointed out to me by my friend Leigh who recently completed his Masters thesis on Bristol street art and hung out with people such as the PRSC it is ironic that the work is set in Clifton when it was born in Stokes Croft/Easton. There are obvious ironies (that word again) in having it in Bristol's 'prestigious' museum but why not fill an empty warehouse in Stokes Croft and allow the pulling power of Banksy to attract tourists in and no doubt help the local economy. Perhaps because Banksy is indeed a divisive character amongst street artists in the very area he learnt his trade. There is an argument that he has sold out and commercialised himself - weakly defended by citing his anonymity - whereas there is an equally strong argument to say that due to his worldwide success the other artists in the area have had their work profiled much higher than would otherwise be expected.

So the location - an ironic playful anti-establishment poke in the eyes to the council? A chance to further promote himself and develop his commercial product? A gift to the people of Bristol? The safe option? Probably all of these.

But what of the work. Well, of course its simply brilliant. From swimming fish fingers to phallic stalagmites to the more poignant comments on child poverty and British politics it is an enjoyable experience from start to finish.

However, what caught my eye was his graffiti tag in pink (not stencil) put in a cage against a grey background - probably for most one of the more forgettable pieces. Oh to understand how this is to be interpreted! Is it a comment on being caged in? Or being put on show? Or both? Is it a metaphor for the very exhibition? Or is it just a bit of fun?

My advice, go and go again! Its free and runs till August. I'll be back...