Banksy exhibition opens at Straz Center

The Art of Banksy opened at the Straz Center in Tampa on July 31, turning the stage of Morsani Hall into a walk-through exhibition of more than 160 authenticated works tied to the anonymous British street artist. Organizers say the Tampa stop includes prints, canvases, sculptures, sketches and limited-edition pieces from private collections, with a stated value of about $35 million. A mural promoting the show was photographed outside the downtown venue on July 27. Coverage this week has centered on the exhibition itself, not on any newly authenticated Banksy street piece. ### Is this a new Banksy mural in Tampa? A July 27 mural outside the Straz Center was installed to promote the exhibition, according to local coverage and photo captions, rather than presented as a newly confirmed Banksy work. The image uses one of Banksy’s best-known motifs, “Girl with Balloon,” alongside advertising for the show. (wusf.org) The available reporting on August 5 and August 6 did not identify any newly authenticated Banksy mural in Tampa. Instead, local stories and the exhibition’s own website focused on the Straz Center installation and the touring collection on display inside the venue. ### What exactly is on display at the Straz Center? (yahoo.com) The exhibition website says the Tampa show features 160-plus authenticated Banksy works, including “Girl with Balloon,” “Flower Thrower” and “Rude Copper,” along with lesser-known pieces such as a “Mona Lisa” owned by Brad Pitt. WUSF reported before the opening that the stage of Morsani Hall would be transformed into a gallery for the run. (yahoo.com) Corey Ross, the producer of the traveling exhibition, told WUSF that the collection was assembled by networking with private collectors. WUSF reported that every work in the show had been authenticated by Banksy’s company, Pest Control, even though the exhibition itself is not billed as an official Banksy show. (banksyexhibit.com) ### Why are local reviews focusing on discomfort? Stephanie Hayes wrote in the Tampa Bay Times column published August 5 that discomfort is built into the experience of seeing Banksy’s work in a polished downtown arts setting. Her column described a VIP preview at the Straz Center in which guests moved through a faux subway-style maze past works juxtaposing children, flowers and weapons. (wusf.org) The same column cited wall text from Banksy’s 2006 Los Angeles warehouse show about inequality and the rituals of art-world spectatorship. Hayes wrote that the contrast between that message and the Tampa preview setting gave the show its tension. That framing came from the columnist’s review, not from any new statement by Banksy. (yahoo.com) ### Is Banksy involved in this exhibition? WUSF reported on July 25 that the show is not an “official” Banksy exhibition, while saying the individual works have been authenticated by the artist’s company. Hayes wrote that Banksy did not authorize the long-running touring show and that the exhibition’s curator told the Times the artist had fought to stop it before a “gentleman’s agreement.” (yahoo.com) The exhibition website itself presents the Tampa stop as part of a 10-year international tour by Starvox Entertainment. It says the show has sold more than 1 million tickets across its run. ### How long will the Tampa run last? The Straz Center run began on July 31 and is now extended through September 27, according to the exhibition website. WUSF’s July 25 report also listed September 27 as the end date for the Tampa engagement. (wusf.org) The exhibition is being held at the Straz Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place in Tampa, with timed tickets sold through the show’s website. (banksyexhibit.com)