Banksy announces first solo exhibition in 14 years heading to Glasgow

Banksy has announced his first solo exhibition in 14 years, set to head to Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art this weekend.

‘CUT & RUN: 25 years card labour’ kicks off on Sunday, June 18, featuring pieces from the elusive artist throughout the years including ‘Girl With a Balloon’ and ‘Kissing Coppers’, some of Banksy’s most renowned pieces.

The exhibition traces Banksy’s career from 1998 to the modern day, and will include sketches, stencils, and original pieces made during that time.

It marks the first solo exhibition from Banksy since the summer of 2009 when the artist set up ‘Banksy versus Bristol Museum’ which attracted more than 300,000 people during its 12-week run time.

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Amongst the artworks due to be displayed in Glasgow, ‘CUT & RUN’ features ‘Mobile Lovers’, a piece painted in Bristol in 2014, and ‘Kissing Coppers’ which appeared on the wall of the Prince Albert pub in Brighton in 2004.

Other pieces include Stormzy’s union jack vest worn on stage at Glastonbury in 2019, and a detailed and deconstructed model of the self-destructing ‘Girl With A Balloon’ artwork sold at Sotheby’s in 2018.

The exhibition aims to show the behind-the-scenes work put into each artwork with displays of his original sketches and stencils, as well as some never before seen work.

"I've kept these stencils hidden away for years, mindful they could be used as evidence in a charge of criminal damage,” he said in a statement. "But that moment seems to have passed, so now I'm exhibiting them in a gallery as works of art. I'm not sure which is the greater crime."

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According to the statement, Banksy said that he chose to host the exhibition at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art because his “favourite artwork” is right outside - the city’s iconic horse statue.

"For anyone who isn't aware - the statue out the front has had a cone on its head continuously for the past 40 odd years,” he said. “Despite the best efforts of the council and the police, every time one is removed another takes its place."

‘CUT & RUN: 25 years card labour’ runs from Sunday, June 18, to Saturday, July 1 at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art. Find tickets here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter