"House of Banksy"-works by the street art superstar in Munich

Masterpieces of the mystery -reduced Street Art Megastar in the "House of Banksy" in Munich. New pop-up exhibition celebrated the world premiere on June 14th in the basement of the former Galeria Kaufhof on the Stachus of the Bavarian capital.

Banksy for years , one of the best known and at the same time mysterious street art artist of our time. His works are provocative, profound and often provided with a political undertone.

The exhibition "House of Banksy - An Unauthorized Exhibition"  offers art lovers in Germany a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of this enigmatic artist and to admire an impressive collection of his works.

Banksy: an enigma

Banksy, whose true identity is kept strictly secret to this day, began his career as a sprayer in the streets of Bristol, England, in the 1990s. Impressed by the urban art scene and inspired by artists such as Blek Le Rat , Banksy quickly developed his own style. His works, which are often a combination of stencils and spray paint, are characterized by ingenious humor and snappy social criticism, anti-war messages or criticism of consumer culture.

The power of anonymity

An essential aspect that distinguishes Banksy from other artists is its anonymity. This not only ensures a special charm, but also contributed significantly to its cult status. In a world, in which artists are often accompanied by an oversized media presence, Banksy consciously remain in the shade.

This secrecy not only protects him from legal consequences, but also enables an impartial consideration of his art.

According to isolated media reports, the graffiti guru probably comes from Bristol and has an estimated age in the range of around 45 to 50 years. However, his identity remains a well -kept secret that only enlarges his myth. However, there are always indications of his identity and again and again names are thrown into the ring in the media discussion.

The streets and auctions are his stage on which Banksy is one of the most expensive and celebrated artists of our time.

The social relevance

Banksys works are more than just art; They are a statement. His art challenges society to ask questions about authority, war, consumption and inequalities in the world.

The topics he treats are universal and timeless, which explains why his work is well received worldwide. His art is also rebellious and profound, a mixture of irony, political message and visual poetry.

It is no coincidence that his popularity and support comes from the population: in a vote in 2009, 97 percent of Bristol citizens spoke out against the removal of his works. He is a superstar far away from any conventions and sales - already in 2010 the "Time Magazine" one of the 100 most influential people in the world, in good company of greats such as Barack Obama and Steve Jobs (see the 2010 time 100 ).

Banksy is not just an artist - he is a mouthpiece of millions of people and long ago a living legend.

Banksy in Ukraine - messages for peace

In November 2022, several new works of art confirmed by Banksy caused a sensation and impressively documented the artist's solidarity with the people in the war -torn Ukraine .

The works on the ruins are sprayed memorials: two children transform a tank lock into a seesaw, an abandoned chair becomes the viewpoint for a woman with a gas mask and fire extinguisher, a child in a judo suit throws his apparently superior opponent to name just a few examples.

Many Banksy works from the past few years have now found their way into the commercial area. The question of whether street art should be commercialized can be discussed.

Can its art be exhibited or should street-like generally be shown in museums or galleries? After all, Banksy also stands for the rejection of commerce. The answer provides us with Banksy itself, as the exhibition in the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow showed from June to the end of August 2023, which - for the first time after 14 years - was authorized by the artist.

Spectacular auctions are paving its way

A particularly spectacular event was the auction of his work "Girl with Balloon" in 2018 at Sotheby’s in London. The picture destroyed itself after the sale by a shredder hidden in the frame. It was previously auctioned for 1.2 million euros.

The previous record price for a Banksy plant was around 1.7 million euros in New York in 2008. In 2019, the painting "Devolved Parliament" again auctioned at Sotheby's in London and achieved 9.9 million pounds (11.1 million euros).

Banksy commented on Instagram:

It's a shame that it no longer belongs to me. "

A triptych on the refugee crisis entitled "Mediterranean Sea View 2017" surprisingly brought 2.4 million euros in 2020, which the artist donated to a Palestinian hospital. "Show Me The Monet" , Banksy's ironic reinterpretation of a Monet masterpiece, was auctioned in 2020 for £ 7.6 million (8.4 million euros).

At Banksy, the idyllic scenery of Monet's "The Japanese Bridge" converted into an illegal garbage loading area, lined with thrown away waste. This oil painting painted Banksy in 2005 and presented it for the first time in a gallery exhibition.

In March 2021, the artist Banksy scored a new record: his painting "Game Changer" , which he secretly placed in Southampton in May 2020 and dedicated to the hospital staff, was successfully auctioned with Christie’s and achieved an impressive prize of almost £ 17 million (almost 20 million euros).

According to Banksys, the proceeds should benefit the entire British health service NHS. The picture shows a little boy who has thrown his superhero figures in Batman and Spiderman in the trash and is now playing with a new favorite figure - a nurse with mouth protection and cape.

Banksy broke his own record last in October 2021. “Love is in the bin” was auctioned again and achieved a price of £ 18.5 million (the equivalent of around 21.6 million euros) - the shredded “Girl with Balloon”, which already came under the hammer in 2018. The identity of the buyer of the artwork for this new record sum is still unknown.

The exhibition: A visual experience for the artist's largest work show

The organizers of the successful exhibition “The Mystery of Bansy-A Genius Mind” returned to Munich on June 14, 2024 with a new pop-up concept and another world premiere. Under the title "House of Banksy-An Unauthorized Exhibition", a unique presentation with over 200 works of art by the celebrated artist will be seen on the premises of the former Galeria Kaufhof am Stachus .

This exhibition, which is the  largest work show of his art worldwide, differs significantly from all previous Banksy exhibitions and promises a unique experience for visitors of all kinds.

Visitors immerse themselves in an immersive world of experience that draws attention to Banksy's most iconic works and the stories behind it. In addition to well -known graffiti such as "Girl with Balloon" and "Rage, The Flower Thrower" , the exhibition also shows less well -known works that are rarely made accessible to the general public.

Graffitis , photographs, sculptures, video installations and prints on different materials such as canvas, wood, aluminum, plaster, concrete, brick and plexiglass were reproduced and compiled especially for this exhibition. In an exclusive and unique setting, visitors get a comprehensive insight into the overall work of the outstanding artist .

This homage and the image installations presented are not authorized by the artist himself due to its anonymous identity. Around 80% of the graffiti and motifs on display are now hardly or no longer accessible in the original. They were removed, destroyed, sprayed or torn out of the walls and then auctioned at high prices.

Some of them, especially his serigraphia, are privately owned today or at art dealers. The impressive reproductions, made and sprayed live by an internationally renowned team of graffiti artists especially for each exhibition on site, enable the viewer to follow the traces of Banksy and to experience his art in an unprecedented way and up close.

"In this way, we want to make the works and above all the message behind each of its actions and work, make the public accessible again and point out how important it is to pushing the few remaining originals in public space. To fill an exhibition like this with originals, for the reasons shown in this dimension is not possible",

says Oliver Forster, the producer of the exhibition.

The exhibition is curated by Virginia Jean . The young curator and gallery owner, who comes from England and living in Berlin , is a versatile designer and unchangeable creative.

Banksy's art - a reflection of our society

The exhibition invites a wide audience to discover the messages of this artistic genius without having to cover long distances. Here, the most famous works by the street artist Banksy can be admired, the current issues such as war, xenophobia, police force, refugee crisis, capitalism, environmental protection, violence against women, surveillance and also the corona pandemic.

An Austrian daily newspaper described the exhibition as "a sprayed reflection of society" . Banksy wants to inspire, touch and at the same time stimulate thought and polarize. His actions are both spectacular and well thought out and hit the nerve of time.

His art does not serve to self -market or apply for his latest works, but rather as a critical indication of grievances and problems, of which we often close our eyes. The careful and conscious selection of the locations for his works underlines its claim and effect. Banksy is undoubtedly one of the most important artists of our time and is not often referred to as a modern Robin Hood for nothing.

A look behind the scenes

In addition to the visual exhibits, the "House of Banksy" offers numerous interactive elements and background information. Documentation and interviews with companions and art critics provide a deep insight into Banksy's motivation and the development processes of his works.

These additional details enable visitors to understand the social and political issues that inspire Banksy.

What makes visiting the exhibition special?

In addition to the art historical and critical considerations, the "House of Banksy" also offers visitors practical workshops in which they can try template techniques themselves.

There are special programs for families that make art accessible and tangible for children. In addition, expert tours ensure that no detail remains undetected.

In the following video, Munich.tv inside the exhibition:

Donation project "Louise Michel" - Banksy Yacht saves refugees in distress

The MV Louise Michel , named after the French anarchist and feminist Louise Michel, is a civil high -speed ship that has been patrolling in the central Mediterranean for rescue of migrant migrants since 2020. The ship was acquired by the French customs authority and is more than twice as fast as the large civil rescue ships with a top speed of up to 28 knots.

Banksy acquired the MV Louise Michel and awarded the 30 -meter -long ship a striking pink color with a fire extinguisher. The motif shows a little girl in a life jacket who holds a heart -shaped rescue ring in his hand, based on Banksy's famous work "Girl with Balloon". Banksy ironically expressed an Instagram video:

Like most people who did something in the art world, I bought a yacht to drive around on the Mediterranean. ”

The MV Louise Michel drives under German flag and is supported by Sea-Watch , a German club based in Berlin, the primary goal of which is the rescue of refugee people in the Mediterranean. The operation of a rescue ship causes considerable costs for port fees, spare parts, maintenance, crew supply and travel expenses.

In the following video of the Guardian you can see how the German charity organization Sea-Watch and the Italian coast guard sent ships to the rescue boat financed by the British street artist after this urgently called for help and said it was stranded in the Mediterranean and overloaded with humans.

In order to promote this significant work, the MV Louise Michel was dedicated to its own area at the exhibition. Visitors are cordially invited to support the project financially, with the donations doubled by the organizers and 100% donated to “Handwreit - Nautical Safety Solutions”, the ship's owner.

If you would also like to support the project, you have the option under these links:

• https://mvlouisemichel.org/
• https://www.betterplace.org/de/organisations/49797-handbreit-nautical-Safety-Solutions

Information about pre -sale

In order to organize the flows of visitors efficiently, we recommend booking a time window .

Flex/gift tickets are ideal for everyone who wants to stay flexible or want to give away tickets without a fixed time. Admission to the exhibition is possible at any time, but these tickets are only available in limited numbers. The tickets can be conveniently purchased at www.banksy-munich.de and are also available from well-known ticket agencies and at the box office from the start of the exhibition.

The ticket price includes an informative multimedia leadership that you can easily call up on your smartphone.

The exhibition is bilingual & barrier -free : texts in German and English. The exhibition is wheelchair accessible.

Exhibition information at a glance

"House of Banksy - An Unauthorized Exhibition"
exhibition period: from June 14, 2024 - only for a short time!

Opening times: Mo/Tue/Wed/So & Holidays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thu/Fri/Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Where: B-Tween, 1. UG (former Galeria Kaufhof Stachus)
Karlsplatz 21-24
80335 Munich

Tickets: are available at www.banksy-munich.de, from all known ticket agencies and from the start of the exhibition at the box office.

Further information at www.banksy-munich.de

Via the organizer Cofo Entertainment from Passau

Cofo Entertainment has been a leading organizer in German-speaking countries for live entertainment and exhibitions for over 50 years. Managing Director Oliver Forster successfully creates musical biographies of music legends and organizes Touring Exhibitions such as "The Terracotta Army" and "Tutankhamun" . Exhibition projects were also expanded during the pandemic, including Immersive Experience exhibitions on artists such as Van Gogh and Dalí as well as street art shows.

With around 50 projects realized projects, Cofo Entertainment is one of the big ones in the exhibition business, including the pop-up concept "House of Banksy".

Click here for the organizer's website: www.cofo.de

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about Banksy and the exhibition "House of Banksy"

1. How long does the exhibition "House of Banksy" last?

The duration of the exhibition can vary. You can find current information on the official website of the exhibition.

2. Is Banksy a single artist or a collective?

Although many speculate that Banksy could be a collective, there is no clear evidence of it. The majority of art critics assume that Banksy is an individual, supported by a small group of confidants.

3. Can you buy Banksys original works?

Banksy's original works are extremely rare and achieve high prices on auctions. However, there are many reproductions and prints authorized by the artist that can be purchased.

4. What security measures are there in the exhibition?

In order to protect the works and offering visitors a safe experience, increased security measures such as cameras and security forces are used by default.

5. Why does Banksy remain anonymous?

Banksy's anonymity allows him to express himself freely without having to fear legal or personal reprisals. In addition, the secret of his person fascination and myth about his art.

6. Are there official Banksy museums?

There are no official Banksy Museums. Exhibitions such as the "House of Banksy" are temporary events that are launched by various organizations and curators.

The exhibition "House of Banksy" is a must for every art lover and for everyone who is interested in the social issues of our time. Explore the ingenious and often amazing works of one of the most influential artists in our generation and be inspired by Banksy's creative genius.