Artist Spotlight – Banksy

In the first of our Artist Spotlight series profiling some of the incredible artists featured in the forthcoming Urban Frame – Mutiny in Colour exhibition, we take a look at one of the most controversial and elusive names in the world of art: BANKSY.

Banksy is the pseudonym of an England-based street artist who has become one of the most famous and notorious artists of our time. Growing out of the Bristol underground art in the early 2000s, they use stencils to create satirical and thought-provoking street art on themes such as war, capitalism and government surveillance.

Banksy murals – who's the copyright owner? | RWK Goodman

One of the things that makes Banksy unique is their anonymity, despite being one of the most famous artists in the world. The constant speculation only adds to the mystique and whenever new Banksy’s are discovered there is often great excitement.

One of Banksy’s most famous works is ’Girl with Balloon’; a series of images of a girl losing her red heart-shaped balloon. In 2018, a framed copy of the artwork was sold by auction at Sotheby’s for £1million, only to be immediately shredded by a hidden mechanism built into the frame. The act was a statement of the commercialisation of art but ironically the damaged painting, renamed ‘Love in the Bin’, sold again in 2021 for £18million.

Banksy's 'Love is in the Bin' Sells for a Record $25.4M at Sotheby's – Robb Report

In spite of all the rumours, there is still no definitive answer as to who Banksy actually is, but one thing is for sure; the guessing game keeps their name – and their controversial art – well and truly in the public eye. Head to The Urban Frame: Mutiny in Colour this summer at Haverhill Arts Centre and see for yourself!

The Urban Frame: Mutiny in Colour runs from 15 July – 12 September. Book online HERE.

In association with Brandler Galleries and West Suffolk Council