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GRAFFITI artist Banksy is making his mark in Oxfordshire now his work has taken over a Woodstock gallery.
Work by the Bristol-based artist, whose identity is shrouded in
mystery, is being showcased at the Creative Art Gallery in Oxford
Street until Sunday, April 4, along with other examples of graffiti
art.
Twenty-six pieces are up for sale, including eight by the elusive
artist, whose work has appeared on walls, tunnels and floors across
southern England.
Banksy began stencilling in Bristol in the 1990s with a series of
satirical and iconic sketches on local buildings, including the city
council headquarters, an M32 bridge and the Thekla floating nightclub.
His work has sold for millions of pounds across the world and his fans include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Gallery owner Elizabeth Metheringham said: “Since we’ve been open
we’ve never really gone with an urban theme for the exhibition but we
thought it would be fun to shake it up a bit and look at different
things.”
Speaking about Banksy’s popularity, Mrs Metheringham added: “I
think it’s the fact he is an enigma and no one really knows who he is,
but his work is also thought provoking.
“I think people like the fact he is controversial. What he produces is clever with the message he is trying to get across.”
Original and limited edition pieces by Banksy are on display
alongside pieces by French graffiti artist Blek Le Rat – who was the
first artist to use stencil art as a form of expressionism – Antony
Micallef, Titifreak and Reading- based stencil artist Marvo.
Marvo graffitied a beggar on the front of the gallery especially for the two-week exhibition.
Mrs Metheringham revealed she had planted a mock Banksy in the nearby Oxfordshire Museum in celebration of the street artist, who is
well-known for pulling off similar stunts.
She said: “One of the things Banksy does is go into museums and
puts his own art work up. I don’t know how he gets away with it. But we
thought it would be quite fun to do something similar at the
Oxfordshire Museum.
“Someone spoke to the invigilator and we stuck two pieces of art on the wall. No one has noticed so far.”
Record sleeves designed by Banksy start from £95 and Di Faced
Tenners – £10 banknotes carrying Princess Diana’s head instead of the
Queen – can be snapped up for about £25,000.
Mrs Metheringham said: “My favourite is the Flying Copper. It’s a
policeman with a smiley sunshine face with wings on his back. It’s a
really provoking thought that police are supposed to be more
approachable and here you have an officer carrying a machine gun.”
Creative Art Gallery is open between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am until 5pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
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