The Art of Banksy Exhibition

The Art of Banksy Exhibition

The Art of Banksy exhibition in Melbourne has been a huge hit, so much so that the season has been extended, due to overwhelming public demand!  The exhibition will now run until Tuesday 31st January, at The Paddock, Federation Square and is open daily, from 10am.

The exhibition will open to the public on Friday 7th October at The Paddock, Federation Square, (in the dodgy car park, behind the good car park, behind Federation Square) and will run until Tuesday 31st of January 2017.

The Paddock will be transformed into a hub of art, food, drinks and music, with local legends, Welcome To Thornbury providing an ever changing roster of much loved food trucks and to refresh your palette, craft beers and summer favourite cocktails will be served at the exhibition's own Circle Bar. The huge outdoor area, appropriately named The Railyard will host Live DJ's to indulge the crowd on selected Friday nights and during Saturday sessions, heightening the Melbourne summer vibe.

Inspired by the streets of London, this exhibition will take visitors on an artistic adventure, exploring the mind of Banksy and his satirical street art. Famous for his graffiti stencilling technique, Banksy's artwork combines dark humour with underlying political messages and social themes, which has now seen him become one of the biggest contemporary studio artists of our generation.

More than 80 works will be on display, presenting the largest collection of Banksy artwork to ever draw upon Australia, including the iconic Girl with Balloon, Flag Wall and Laugh Now pieces.

Curated by Steve Lazarides, former manager of Banksy, the works come from his own collection and other private collectors.

'This exhibition is a one off – never will you be able to see this amount of work in one place again. Once the show is over, the artwork will dissipate back to the other 40 collectors around the world, and the likelihood of them being brought together again in the future is very slim," said Lazarides.

Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle said the exhibition was another drawcard for interstate and international visitors who visit the city for its thriving cultural scene.

'Melbourne has one of the most vibrant street art cultures in the world and this exciting exhibition of Banksy's collection is a major coup for our city," the Lord Mayor said.

'A few years ago, I extended an invitation to Banksy to return to Melbourne so I am pleased that his works will be on display for everyone to enjoy during the summer months."

Melbourne has long been recognised for its diverse range of street art, owing to its coveted title as the -stencil capital of the world'. As part of The Art of Banksy local street artists, including Adnate, Kaffeine and Sirum will showcase their artwork on external walls surrounding the exhibition.

The exhibition will fascinate those who visit but the identity of the artist will continue to remain undisclosed – it will not reveal who or what Banksy is. Is he a lone artist? Is it a collective?

Tickets to The Art of Banksy are on sale now and can be purchased at: www.ticketek.com.au