Again, I'm not an artsy person but then this exhibition is about street art. You know how much I love street/mural arts because each of them looks so realistic and describes from the past till the present. Since November 2024, I kept seeing the ads popping out on my FB and IG feeds and couldn't help wonder if it is gonna be another WOW factor for me after the last exhibition (click here to reminisce). Decided to ask my exhibition buddy to go again as the venue is much more convenient at Orchard Road and we can have shop around after that.
By the way, when you buy your tickets on Fever, check the different dates and timing for the day for the best price. Tips for you: slots between 12.30pm to 1.30pm is good! I bought the Premium Admission which includes entrance and t-shirt spray painting experience. Discover your artsy side.
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| Enter into the Art of Banksy 'Without Limits' |
It remains unknown the real identity of Banksy and Banksy is just the pseudonymous name of a British street artist and political activist. Created with satirical social commentary, Banksy's works are characterized by striking visual art that includes stenciled images allowing for fast execution and greater anonymity, and a blend of dark humor (I love it!), political activism (I love it too!), and anti-establishment messages. A form of activism from each artwork addresses issues like war, consumerism, poverty, and the hypocrisy of political leaders.
Banksy became a symbol of counter-culture art and anti-establishment values. The style of works evolved over time to incorporate elements of pop art, graffiti, and even installations like rats, policemen, soldiers and monkeys appear frequently. The works are often politically charged, using humor and irony to question societal norms and injustices (I'm questioning that everyday!). Banksy's works often stand between graffiti and fine art, challenging the traditional boundaries in the world of art.
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| Banksy's Timeline of his works that started from the 90s up to 2024 |
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| Banksy's quote |
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| Pillow Fight |
The Pillow Fight by Banksy shows an Israeli border policeman and a Palestinian man in a pillow fight in one of the hotel rooms of The Walled Off Hotel. Guests get to sleep in a king-size bed underneath Banksy's artwork.
Banksy's work has appeared not only on buildings, walls, streets, even on objects or installations. There are places like the West Bank barrier between Israel and Palestine, where Banksy created a series of powerful political pieces emphasizing the struggles of the Palestinian people.
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| Banksy's Quote ~ So true. Talk about INITIATIVE. |
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| Laugh Now 2003 ~ A monkey oppressed with an ad banner |
We chose this monkey stencil For our t-shirt spray painting because this is so expressive and it really is something that I wanna tell people out there that one day, I'm the only one in-charge of my life and no one dictates it other than myself, not even family or friends or the country. At times, you really will feel being oppressed unknowingly. Depends on how lightly you take.
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| Queen Ziggy |
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| How cool is Queen Elizabeth II |
Back in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years on the throne. It is believed that Banksy have made it as his own tribute to Her Majesty, describing the monarch in a jagged blue and red lightning flash across her face, like what David Bowie created in 1970s: Ziggy Stardust.
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| Turf War 2003 ~ A Rocking Mohawk Winston Churchill |
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| Napoleon 2022 ~ Criticizing France's callous response to the refugee crisis |
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| Kate Moss 2005 |
Kate Moss, a English model being portrayed as Marilyn Monroe's modern day equivalent, with the model's face superimposed onto Monroe's hair. Playing around with colours and thus half the wall filled with Kate Moss in different colours.
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| Because I'm worthless 2004 |
The rat holding a placard with the red wordings: Because I'm worthless. An ironic twist of L'Oreal tagline's Because You're Worth it. This is one of the artist's Placard Rat series.
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| Banksy's quote always make sense |
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| Soup Can 2005 ~ A parody of Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Can |
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| Tesco Petrol Bomb 2011 ~ Sold for fundraising for victims of Tesco Riots in 2011 |
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| The Flower Thrower 2022 |
The Flower Thrower describes a man in a rioter's stance, but instead of throwing a Molotov cocktail, he’s throwing a bouquet of flowers. This symbolizes the power of peace over violence.
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| Abandon Hope 2006 |
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| Morons 2006 |
Through reimagining the historic sale of Van Gogh's Sunflowers for a record-breaking £22,500,000, Banksy replaces it with a sign that read: "I can't believe you morons actually buy this shit." A shot at the art world's elitism and absurd wealth.
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Banksy's quote hit the spot again!
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| All men are brothers - hence war |
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| Media Canvas 2006 |
The following artworks were created by Banksy in the war-torn Eastern Europe nation Ukraine, a country still recovering from war and conflict. Banksy has created a series of seven artworks in the country.
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| The Gymnast and The Rhythmic Gymnast 2022 |
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Old Man Taking a Bath and The Judo Competition 2022
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There is always hope - Banksy
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| Nola, or Rain Girl |
This piece is to commemorate the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans in 2005. Portrayed by the young girl who discovered her umbrella itself is the source of a downpour, Banksy criticizes authorities’ negligent response to the natural disaster that led to further grief to the people.
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| Mother Teresa 2006 |
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| Vandalism as Modern Art - Beyond the Streets 2018 |
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| Paranoid Pictures 2003 |
Another twist of Paramount Pictures logo, Banksy said: "Your mind works best when you are paranoid. You explore every avenue and possibility of your situation at high speed with total clarity." The artist's ability to set a familiar image against another with mind provoking messages
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| Follow Your Dreams |
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| Girl with a Balloon |
One of the most famous moments in Banksy’s career happened in 2018. The painting of Girl with a Balloon was auctioned at Sotheby’s for £1.04 million. And immediately after the sale, the self-destruction of the painting in a frame sparked debate about the nature of art, authorship, and the role of the art market in commodifying works. The stunt was known as Love is in the Bin, if you didn't know.
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| The Mild Mild West |
Portraying an anti-establishment scenario, created in response to police raids at unlicensed warehouse parties in the 90s. Represented by a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at three riot police.
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| Exit Through the Gift Shop 2010 |
Exit Through the Gift Shop is a documentary film on the risk-taking, law-breaking, and frenzy-instilling nature of street art, directed by Banksy in 2010. It is on how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempting to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. Interesting.
In general, Banksy has a significant impact on both street and contemporary art. Though featured in major art galleries and exhibitions (currently now in Singapore too), Banksy maintains a strong stance against commercializing and commodifying art.
Known for provocative tactics and subversive ideas, Banksy's works create a sense of public engagement, delivering the messages directly to the people through public spaces. Some may consider Banksy's artworks a form of vandalism, I personally view it as a form of expression through art. Gonna do up my video (in Shorts form) soon so stay tune to my Youtube Channel too.
If you wanna have a look at the works of this mysterious artist of all times, book your tickets through Fever app. The location is at 25 Scotts Road, Singapore 228220. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. All the above were paid by the writer.