Banksy vs Bristol Museum

Please note, queuing times are currently over four hours, and have reached 6 hours at peak times.

Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery is proud to present a unique collaboration between the city's foremost cultural institution and one of the region's most infamous artists.

Banksy, the world-renowned graffiti artist made famous by his controversial street art paintings, has returned to his hometown of Bristol to hold an official exhibition of his work, titled Banksy vs Bristol Museum.

This exclusive show features his famous stencil street art along with installations, animatronics, sculptures and an impressive sensory display. The exhibition was planned in secret, with only a handful of museum staff and event organisers kept in the loop, and features over 70 pieces of new and previously unseen art.

Banksy vs Bristol Museum will run from 13 June until 31 August 2009 and is free to the public. Be sure not to miss what could be the largest official public display of Banksy's work ever held.

Please note that there are no advance bookings or timed tickets available, and there are no special arrangements for groups.

Take a look at the new Banksy Trails (printable PDF) around Bristol. Three different routes to choose from, each offering great ideas of things to do, places to eat and drink and brilliant ways to make the most of your time in Bristol - view the trails >>

Excerpt from Banksy's Bristol (Tangent Books)

How the West was Done
"We did it in daylight, over three days. I held the ladder for him and kept lookout.
The first day, he painted the wall black. Banksy used car paints – he had a deal with a guy who ran an auto shop. The next day he put the teddy bear in, and then the police. We did the cops last thing that day because that was the most provocative part.

The third day, I think, he did the lettering. He wasn’t happy with the coppers after doing his first draft, and if you look closely you’ll see he’s adjusted the outlines of the policemen.
Banksy’s a perfectionist.

I love the way the teddy looks slightly wobbly, slightly ungainly… he looks kinda docile. It’s a simple piece, but there’s so much to read into it."

Banksy’s ladder-holder Jim Paine