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In Belgrade, two galleries are showcasing Banksy’s art: one is titled ‘Banksy’, and the other is called ‘Fake Banksy, Real Message’.
Banksy has been creating hidden murals in public spaces across the world. (Photo Credits: X)
The capital of Serbia, Belgrade, is known for its rich street art culture. Recently, two exhibitions in the city are showcasing the work of the British street artist Banksy which has sparked a debate about the commercialisation of street art, AFP reported. Banksy, whose identity remains unknown, has been creating hidden murals in public spaces across the world for decades including in the West Bank, London and Los Angeles. The artist rarely supports exhibitions featuring his work.
In Belgrade, two galleries are displaying Banksy’s art. One exhibition, called ‘Banksy’, focuses on prints and posters. These include album covers for various musicians, collaborations with Greenpeace and an alternative opening for The Simpsons which Banksy had created.
Visitors to the exhibition have been posting pictures on social media often next to a bomb model that appears in several of Banksy’s murals. The exhibition, organised by Slovenia’s Deva Puri Gallery, charges an entrance fee of up to 1,300 dinars (around Rs 1,000). Curator David Rjazancev, who spent ten years working on the exhibition, offers a multimedia tour that highlights the artist’s work. Rjazancev explained to AFP that the pieces on display were borrowed from private collections, galleries and museums. He said that their authenticity was checked and verified before being included in the exhibition.
However, the exhibition has faced criticism, leading to the creation of a rival exhibition titled ‘Fake Banksy, Real Message’, which is free to attend. Nemanja Janjic, the curator of this exhibition, expressed his concerns about the entrance fees charged by the ‘Banksy’ exhibition especially since they go against Banksy’s anti-establishment views. “His art is, above all, a critique of consumerism, elitism and profit, with a clear message that art should be accessible to everyone,” Janjic told AFP.
At Janjic’s exhibition, visitors can use a paper shredder to destroy art prints, a tribute to Banksy’s famous “Love Is in the Bin” stunt from 2018 at Sotheby’s London where his painting self-destructed right after being sold. “His works are not meant for mass consumption … he is not a capitalist, nor is he commercial,” said Vanja, a Belgrade resident, after attending the ‘Fake Banksy’ exhibit.
Belgrade has a long history of street art with its walls displaying murals of figures like warlords, rock stars and poets as well as nationalist messages related to Russia and Kosovo. During recent student protests, protesters reinterpreted Banksy’s well-known image of a girl reaching for a red balloon. They added a bloody handprint to the artwork which turned it into a symbol of the anti-corruption movement.
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