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Giulia Blocal's avatar

As you correctly suspected, the Banksy exhibition is neither organized nor authorized by the artist. Put together by Steve Lazarides, Banksy’s former manager, this traveling show operates entirely without the artist’s consent.

Banksy has clearly spoken out against such initiatives. On his official website, he wrote:

“Members of the public should be aware there has been a recent spate of Banksy exhibitions none of which are consensual. They’ve been organized entirely without the artist’s knowledge or involvement. Please treat them accordingly.”

This statement reflects his frustration with exhibitions like The Art of Banksy, which profit from his name while disregarding the original spirit of his work—created to be experienced freely in public spaces, not inside galleries with an entry fee.

And this issue doesn’t end there. The same criticism applies to the Moco Museum (in London, Amsterdam, Barcelona...) which is also displaying unauthorized Banksy pieces without his permission. Just like The Art of Banksy, the Moco Museum is cashing in on his art while ignoring the artist’s explicit disapproval.

Visiting these exhibitions means supporting the very commodification of street art that Banksy has always opposed. They turn art that was meant to challenge the system into a neatly packaged product for sale.

ps. I was at the Walled Off Hotel on the week of the opening, in this article you can read about my first-hand experience and check out some photos: https://www.blocal-travel.com/world/palestine/bethlehem/banksy-hotel/

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