Aotearoa Meets Anarchy: Inside 'The Art of Banksy'
A short review of Auckland Live's latest art exhibition: 'The Art of Banksy'
“Most artists have an obsession that defines their work. Monet had light, Hockney has colour, I’ve got police response time.”
Banksy does not fall on deaf ears. While his name turns heads even in the most exclusive art circles, Banksy's actual roaming ground lies in the gritty streets of his neighbourhood. So how, then, does a grassroots anarchist artist end up with a high-profile public exhibition halfway across the world? First, let’s traverse some history.
Banksy remains the most elusive name in the art world. Commonly referred to as a "guerrilla street artist" by onlooking media outlets, he first gained notoriety by spray-painting memorable stenciled designs around Bristol in the early 1990s. Despite the increasingly radical and attention-grabbing scale of his artworks, Banksy managed to preserve his anonymous identity. By the mid-2000s, he had taken his art to city streets across numerous continents, no longer bound by his roots in the England.
For all the fame and public endorsement he received, Banksy has never been one to “fraternise with the enemy.” His artwork continues to embrace incisive, unapologetic political messaging, often poking fun at the very authority figures and elite institutions that praise and celebrate his work. In 2009, Banksy wreaked havoc at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery with his infamous Banksy versus Bristol Museum exhibition. The museum underwent a radical transformation—its main entrance turned into a sculpture hall, and his subversive paintings were strategically placed among classical works by Old Masters.
The Art of Banksy aims to capture the dynamic, exhilarating, and politically rich history of Banksy’s street art. It stands out from its counterparts by securing over 150 authenticated pieces of original Banksy art—the largest collection of his work ever displayed in one exhibition. Long-time enthusiasts may recall that this is the second time the exhibit has visited Tāmaki Makaurau. In 2018, featuring just over 80 original pieces at the time, The Art of Banksy made its official debut at Auckland’s iconic Aotea Centre. This year, it returns to the Hunua Rooms—nearly double in size and amplified in its artistic and satirical gravitas.
At the launch night, I was fortunate enough to hear directly from the exhibit’s curator, Michel Boersma, who was brimming with personal remarks and anecdotes about the man, the myth, the legend. In particular, he shared a rather revealing story about Banksy and two of his ex-partners on one fateful Valentine’s Day. Both women had received a stenciled print from Banksy as a romantic gesture—only to later discover, in each other’s very presence, that it was the exact same piece, given in the same year. Boersma chuckled, “He was a very good artist, but not a very good boyfriend.” Oh dear. Evidently a passionate fan of the artist, Boersma was so caught up in his speech—having negotiated directly with private collectors to secure each loaned piece—that he forgot to officially open the exhibit afterwards (it happens to the best of us).
Soon after, we were ushered downstairs into the newly transformed Hunua Rooms. The gallery was dimly lit, with each piece illuminated by artificial frame lights mounted on the walls. Some were framed in ornate golden fixtures, others in sleek black ones. Standalone prints commanded your undivided attention, while mosaic-style collages offered quippy commentary. Some works were presented in their final, polished form, while other sections featured raw, previously unseen sketches that Banksy had used to plan past exhibitions. Interspersed among the physical media were also audiovisual pieces, including short interviews with the very few people on earth privy to Banksy’s hidden identity.
If I’m being honest, I was not surprised to see one of his ex-partners still clearly riled up in an interview. Based on what I had learnt and heard about Banksy thus far, I would describe him as a bona fide rascal and a half. His work doesn’t just toe the line—it redraws it into a curve altogether. His one rule? Cut and run. It’s almost humorous to think he applies this art philosophy to personal relationships, too. Whoever he is, Banksy is certainly a troublemaker with a sharp sense of humour. Whether it was a particularly blunt quote or a shockingly outrageous image, I found myself laughing out loud more than once in that dimly lit gallery.
He uses humour to spotlight political issues that naturally stir controversy. But Banksy never stays on the fence—his art makes clear, defiant stances. A personal highlight was the array of artworks criticising the US military-industrial complex, shedding light on its problematic interventions—first in Iraq, and more recently in Palestine through its support of the Israeli state. Indifference is not an option in a Banksy piece.
As I reached the end of the exhibit, an art docent greeted me with a smile: “Thank you for coming, we hope you enjoyed the exhibit.” I smiled back. Then they added, a little too cheerfully, “And you can exit through the gift shop.” I stopped in my tracks. Turning around, I gave them a look that said, “Really?” They paused, recognition flashing across their face. For context, Exit Through the Gift Shop is the name of a 2010 documentary Banksy released, which premiered at Sundance and was referenced in one of the gallery sections. “It never ends, does it?” I sighed. “Anyway, I still have to watch it.” They returned a sheepish smile.
I was torn when I first entered the gift shop. I love collecting memorabilia from exhibits I’ve attended. But this time, knowing what Banksy’s art stands for, it felt… wrong. To splurge on merchandise from a commercial exhibition of anti-capitalist street art seemed antithetical to the entire point. I was grateful to have experienced his work in person, all the way from Aotearoa—but I couldn’t ignore the intricate system that now profits off Banksy’s subversive legacy. A system his art dedicates itself to undermining.
My partner gave me the ingenious idea of just stenciling one of Banksy’s designs onto a hoodie myself, instead of buying a ready-made one at the gift shop. Sure, I probably couldn’t have afforded the official hoodie anyway—but something tells me that resisting what was expected of me, and even making new art in the process, is exactly what Banksy would’ve wanted. A quiet act of rebellion. A small penance for seeing his work through a profiting lens. That's what I told myself anyway, as I took one last look, and exited through the gift shop.
“To not realise you have power is the first step to losing it.”
We thank Auckland Live and GTP Exhibitions for the opportunity to experience this exhibition. You can purchase tickets online or at the box office on the day. $25 student rush tickets are available Mon – Fri: 10am – 2pm until the end of the season, simply show your valid student ID at the box office. The Art of Banksy exhibition is ON NOW – Sun 3 August, Aotea Centre.
Buy Tickets below:
Auckland Live
