A reproduction of a famous piece of art can still move a person's feelings and inspire. At the Banksy Museum New York, there are some 160+ carefully constructed reproductions of the anonymous Bristol-born street artist's works, supplemented with information for context of placement, as well as video clips (including scenes from his own documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop), that make for a compelling visit.
The museum is located downtown on the 2 upper floors of the Oltarsh Building, a 3-story mercantile building that opened as a theatre in 1927, spanning 15,000 square feet. It is the largest exhibition dedicated to Banksy's murals and artworks in the world.
Banksy has not endorsed the museum, and often has frowned on the zeal of art collectors, advocating that art should be free. In 2018 at a Sotheby's auction, Banksy famously concealed a shredder in a framed print of the iconic Girl with Balloon. When it was sold (later renamed Love is in the Bin), the print immediately was destroyed, as onlookers gasped.
While Banksy's art is considered contemporary, once you see the scope of work he has created, all in one space, you realize he has been creating socially conscious and politically charged works of art around the world for more than 20 years now. Most of the pieces are stenciled, a rarity in the graffiti world. He has done an occasional commission, including artwork for the cover of Blur's Think Tank album.
Good Doctor, 2010
One section is dedicated to Banksy's time in New York City. In 2010, he created the piece Good Doctor, near Ground Zero. Later in 2013, Banksy did a residency in New York, creating numerous pieces about the city, many including rats, a symbol of resilience. The fervor among fans watching and waiting where he'd create something next was well-documented in local media.
Banksy also spent time in other states, including Louisiana. The above piece, Girl on a Stool, was created in 2008, following Hurricane Katrina.
Banksy's works are often found in politically charged environments, including in his home country, England. He has traveled under the radar to Ukraine and Gaza, creating pieces that strike the heart and mind. In 2017 in Bethlehem, Palestine, he created The Walled Off Hotel, a boutique hotel overlooking Israel's West Bank Wall, with designs inside of various Banksy pieces, including a mural over a bed of an Israeli and a Palestinian in a pillow fight. One trio of paintings from the hotel went for $2 million at Sotheby's in 2020; the money went to raise money for a hospital in Bethlehem.
Another striking painting at the hotel is Watchtower, a watchtower that is painted as a swing carousel, with children on a joyous ride, amidst a barren backdrop.
The exhibition culminates with Banksy's iconic Girl with Balloon pieces, which first appeared in Shoreditch, London, dating back to 2002.
This holiday season, The Banksy Museum is hosting several events. There will be a Holiday Family Extravaganza on Dec. 14, 2pm5-pm, with hands-on art stations, an art market, seasonal snacks and drinks. Then in January, there will be an Andy Warhol Studio Night on Jan. 15, 7pm-9pm, and a Jean-Michel Basquiat Studio Night on Jan. 29, 7pm-9pm.
Banksy Museum New York is located at 277 Canal Street. For reservations, visit museumbanksy.com.
