Because great art shows us the world in all its beauty and madness.
As the world crashes and burns, with seemingly endless wars in the Middle East, Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, and several other places, and most recently Trump’s stunning return to the White House, it would do our weary souls well to immerse ourselves in some great art.
Banksy, with his guerilla-style political art, is top-of-mind for those looking for works that provoke thought about current issues. The UK-based reclusive artist has remained one of the art world’s biggest names, gaining enormous popularity especially among millennials and Gen Zs who are known for their passion for social justice, activism and desire for change.
Banksy’s timelessness
Needless to say, Banksy’s works have an enduring appeal, a timelessness that elevates him in the company of the great contemporary masters.
His relevance draws from his works which often serve as a critique of societal norms, consumerism, and political issues, challenging the status quo with art that doesn’t feel elitist but is accessible to everyone. Moreover, his ability to blend humor and familiar images from popular culture with serious themes makes his work endlessly engaging.
Thanks to social media, Banksy’s works continue to thrive online, with images of his pieces going viral within minutes. The online world further democratizes his art, enabling his unique vision and immense creativity to reach a global audience without the constraints of traditional galleries.
Adding to Banksy’s popularity is his mysterious identity , captivating the public’s imagination to no end. His enigma not only enhances the allure of his work but also compels discussions about authorship in art.
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Without limits
If you’re a Banksy fan and are lucky enough to be in Singapore in December, do find time to swing by “The Art of Banksy: Without Limits,” where more than 170 of his artworks will be showcased. The exhibition has already toured globally and has been viewed by more than 2.1 million visitors since 2016. It’s interesting to note that this time around, it will be held in one of the most graffiti-averse countries in the world. Quite a statement in itself, if you ask me.
An exclusive highlight of the Singapore exhibition is a custom-built entrance featuring a lobby styled after Banksy’s controversial boutique hotel The Walled Off Hotel, according to The Straits Times. The hotel, which opened in Bethlehem in the West Bank in 2017, is touted as having “the worst view in the world.”
Other highlights to look forward to is a print of the iconic “Flower Thrower,” which was stenciled onto a mural in the West Bank in 2003, and his apocalyptic sculpture of a submerged British telephone booth. Fans will also recognize his trademark themes – from sewer rats to the girl with a red balloon.
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Kemal Gurkaynak, managing director of the exhibition’s production company Muse Marketing and Entertainment, said in a Nov. 6 press statement that the organizers are “certain that locals and visitors will relish in Banksy’s ability to provoke, shock and even disturb society – all of which he does with great humor and poetry”.
Like many such exhibitions and museums around the world, like “Banksy Universe 2024” here in Manila, “The Art of Banksy: Without Limits” in Singapore is neither authorized nor endorsed by Banksy himself. He has denounced previous iterations, calling them “fake” and “organized entirely without the artist’s knowledge or involvement.”
In fact, Banksy famously said in 2011: “I don’t think you should have to pay to look at graffiti. You should only pay if you want to get rid of it.”
Dates for the exhibition, held on the first floor of the Royal Plaza on Scotts hotel, are yet to be announced. But the ticket wait list is now open at artofbanksyapac.com. Admission prices are SGD17 (children) and SGD27 (adults). For more information, click on this link.
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