Banksy Exhibit at Lighthouse Artspace in Northeast Minneapolis
Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 3:51PMArticle by Becky Fillinger
The Art of Banksy exhibit opened May 12 at Lighthouse Artspace, 1515 Central Avenue NE. The exhibit features more than 100 works - original and authenticated - associated with one of the most fascinating outdoor, temporary and political artists in our time. What will you see? Prints, canvasses, screen prints and other limited-edition pieces. The show is sourced from private collections from around the world.
The exhibit has some controversy surrounding it. Would Banksy approve of the price tag ($35 to $55) for admission? Probably not. Did he authorize the show? No. Does it draw people to Northeast Minneapolis who might wander into other galleries in the area? Probably. Does it gather private works from around the world into one place for viewing? Yes!
A preview event drew a crowd even with the very real threat of tornadoes in the area. The wind howled and the skies darkened but did not dampen the mood of the crowd. What did the attendees have to say?
Ross Raihala (left) and Patric Richardson
Patric Richardson, the laundry evangelist, and domestic partner, Ross Raihala, pop music critic, thought the show was irreverent, historical and fun.
Gloria Freeman
Gloria Freeman, serial entrepreneur, cheered the show’s producers for bringing the show to Minneapolis – and for staging the show in the Northeast Arts District.
Herman Milligan (right) and Jeff Stitt
Herman Milligan of the Fulton Group appreciated the historic overview of Banksy’s works - especially highlighting all the different things he has done in his career.
Show producer Vicente Fusco told me why Minneapolis was a key site for the touring exhibit. “Minneapolis is home to a thriving arts community in addition to a stunning variety of public art. It is not uncommon to see art spilling into the streets in Minneapolis, from Eduardo Kobra’s stunning Bob Dylan mural at 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue to the beautiful facade of the Juxtaposition Arts Building on Broadway. We like to share Banksy's art where people have an appreciation for public art. And Minneapolis absolutely fits that criterion.”
Barbara Weston as Girl With Balloon
I also asked him what a novice art viewer should look for when viewing Banksy works. “Banksy is always trying to evoke a reaction with his art, and he accomplishes this by using bold imagery depicting war, corruption and crime contrasted against more lighthearted imagery like happy faces, angel wings and heart-shaped balloons. Sometimes he's just trying to get you to crack a smile, but often times, he is drawing attention towards injustice and civil strife with his work.”
The show runs through July 10, is self-guided and audio guides are provided. You may purchase tickets here.
