- the major exhibition which hasbrought Banksy’s era defining works to over 1.5 millionvisitors in 18 cities across the globe, is coming toWellington this summer direct from London, UK where thiscollection has been on display for the last two years. Theexhibition will be hosted at Wellington's newestpurpose-built convention and exhibition centre, Tākina, andwill run from November 28, 2024, to January 20,2025.
With Wellington's vibrant street art scene, athriving hub for creativity, and hailed as the culturalcapital of Aotearoa New Zealand, The Art of Banksy exhibitis a perfect fit for its next stop on the globaltour. As the world’s largest collection of originaland authenticated Banksy art showcasing more than 150 piecesincluding prints, canvases, unique works and fascinatingephemera presented in its new 1,300 sqm Wellingtonhome. Artworks will include the global exclusive ofthe first Flower Thrower.
Now one of Banksy’s most iconicartworks, Flower Thrower first came to global attention in2003 when it appeared as a mural in the West Bank,Palestine, as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity andresistance making the artwork more important now than everbefore. However, Banksy had already created an initialartwork in 1997, depicting a man throwing a bunch offlowers, as a Valentine’s Day gift for his thengirlfriend. The origins of the Flower Thrower imageand testimonial video interview with Leonie Laws, Banksy’sformer girlfriend, will accompany the artwork and shine awhole new light on this work and the artist.
Furtheramplifying Banksy’s evergreen positioning within thepolitical Zeitgeist the exhibition will give unique insightinto the artist’s Walled Off Hotel – a 9 room hotelcreated by Banksy in Bethlehem just metres away from theIsraeli West Bank Wall which boasts “the worst view in theworld”. Michel Boersma, curator and producer of theexhibit said: “Following a hugely successful 18 cityglobal tour and two years in London, UK, we’re veryexcited to bring this larger-than-ever collection toWellington. Over the last 8 years we have been working withcollectors in expanding the collection which we are able todisplay, from 70 in Auckland in 2018 to over 150authenticated and genuine works, no replicas – the realdeal.
I am particularly proud that trusted associates ofBanksy, for example Ben Eine, have been willing tocontribute to the exhibit with their privately held works,gifts and hand drawn sketches and video testimonials. Thisway The Art of Banksy is able to lift the veil on how someof the iconic Banksy works were created and reveals some ofthe secret stunts they got up to.” Tricia andStewart Macpherson of Stetson Group, presenters of theexhibition said: “We are so very excited that thisexhibition of Banksy works is now coming to our hometown ofWellington.
It’ll be presented at the beautiful newTākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. We’rereally enjoying working with WellingtonNZ and WellingtonCity Council as well as several sponsors, everyone has beenhighly motivated and excited to bring this exhibition to ourcity. We’re also particularly thrilled that we can offerfree tickets to children under 12 who come along with anadult, and learn that art comes in allforms.
” Wellington City Mayor Tory Whanau is excitedabout the critically acclaimed blockbuster exhibition comingto Tākina Convention & Exhibition Centre. “It’sexciting to have the world’s largest exhibition with worksfrom the world-renowned political artist Banksy here inPōneke, the heart of Aotearoa’sdemocracy.” Visitors at The Art of Banksy can expectto see the seminal artworks that brought the infamouslyanonymous artist international notoriety such as Girl WithBalloon in four different colour variations, including therare Gold Edition.
Banksy fans can also see uniquepersonalised gift prints created for friends, associates andlovers. The exhibition also focuses on Banksy’s Dismalandand recent artworks acknowledging the ongoing war inUkraine. The Art of Banksy is an unmissable show foranyone who wants to learn more about one of the world’smost important current artists and what their work revealstoday; the power of art to affect social change, inspire thepublic and lay bare the undercurrents of socialissues.
The Art of Banksy is not curated or authorisedby the artist and only displays authenticated art sold orgifted by the Artist, no replicas or art removed from thestreet. Notes: TheArt of Banksy is curated by Michel Boersma, produced by GTPExhibitions Ltd and presented by Tricia and StewartMacpherson of Stetson Group. Exhibition: Location: Tākina Wellington Convention andExhibition Centre, 50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington6011 Ticketing: On sale from 8am 20 August via www.
iticket.co.nz Earlybirdtickets $39 per person + booking fee, kids under 12 gofree Website: www.
theartofbanksy.nz Instagram:@artofbanksywlg Facebook:@artofbanksywlg GTP ExhibitionsLtd is a subsidiary of GTP Entertainment Ltd, a boutiqueproduction company based in London which was founded in 2019by Michel Boersma. Michel is an award winning producerwith over 25 years of experience in the creation, productionand general management of live entertainment andexhibitions.
GTP’s The Art of Banksy waspreviously presented in Melbourne, Tel Aviv, Auckland,Toronto (2018 & 2024), Miami, Gothenburg, Sydney,Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Washington DC,Manchester, London (Covent Garden, Regent Street, Soho) andopens November 2024 in Wellington andVancouver. Besides The Art of Banksy, GTP Exhibitionsis proud to be working with the National Portrait Gallery(UK) on the international tour booking of its LoveStories and In Search Of The Author exhibitions. www.
gtp-entertainment.com The Stetson Group was launched in 1973by founders Tricia and Stewart Macpherson with a goal tobring and manage the best shows on stage. The Group hasproduced and presented shows not only in New Zealand, butalso in Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, theUK and the US.
They have toured hundreds of artists,including The Art of Banksy in Auckland in 2018, The BestExotic Marigold Hotel Live on Stage, Michelangelo - ADifferent View, Spandau Ballet and many, many more over theyears. With their dedication to arts and culture and alove of putting on a spectacular show, theirreputation has travelled afar. Both Tricia and Stewart areexcited to work with Michel and GTP Exhibitions to bringthis exclusive exhibition to Wellington.
www.stetsongroup.com.
