In Belgrade, two galleries are showcasing the work of British street artist Banksy, sparking a debate about the commercialization of street art. One exhibition, called “Banksy,” focuses on prints and posters, including album covers, collaborations with Greenpeace, and an alternative opening for The Simpsons created by the artist. Visitors have been posting pictures on social media, often next to a bomb model that appears in several of Banksy’s murals.
The exhibition, organized by Slovenia’s Deva Puri Gallery, charges an entrance fee of up to 1,300 dinars (around Rs 1,000). Curator David Rjazancev spent ten years working on the exhibition, which features pieces borrowed from private collections, galleries, and museums. The authenticity of the artworks was checked and verified before being included in the show.
However, the exhibition has faced criticism, leading to the creation of a rival exhibition titled “Fake Banksy, Real Message,” which is free to attend.
Street art commercialization debate
Nemanja Janjic, the curator of this exhibition, expressed concerns about the entrance fees charged by the “Banksy” exhibition, stating that they go against Banksy’s anti-establishment views.
“His art is, above all, a critique of consumerism, elitism, and profit, with a clear message that art should be accessible to everyone,” Janjic told AFP. At Janjic’s exhibition, visitors can use a paper shredder to destroy art prints, paying tribute to Banksy’s famous “Love Is in the Bin” stunt from 2018 at Sotheby’s London, where his painting self-destructed right after being sold. “His works are not meant for mass consumption …
he is not a capitalist, nor is he commercial,” said Vanja, a Belgrade resident, after attending the “Fake Banksy” exhibit. Belgrade has a long history of street art, with its walls displaying murals of figures like warlords, rock stars, and poets, as well as nationalist messages related to Russia and Kosovo. During recent student protests, protesters reinterpreted Banksy’s well-known image of a girl reaching for a red balloon, adding a bloody handprint to the artwork, turning it into a symbol of the anti-corruption movement.