Banksy Unveils His First Solo Art Exhibition in 14 Years in Glasgow

Until August 28, 2023, attendees at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art can explore Banksy’s first solo show in over 14 years, titled Banksy: Cut and Run, 25 Years Card Labour. This highly anticipated exhibit was kept under wraps until just a day before tickets went on sale on June 15.

The elusive British street artist, Banksy, remains anonymous, choosing to go by his pseudonym. He is renowned for his satirical stenciled graffiti, which he creates in cities worldwide, from his hometown of Bristol, England, to Barcelona, Spain, and Park City, Utah. At Cut and Run, visitors will view a curated selection of stencils spanning more than 25 years of Banksy’s work. While details are limited, fans can expect to see his cardboard stencils reimagined as original artworks and even as shadow puppets. Additionally, some of the disguises he employs to conceal his identity will be showcased. One highlight is Banksy’s bus shelter piece, originally found on Admiralty Road in Great Yarmouth, England, depicting an elderly couple appearing to dance atop a bus stop.

Banksy began his graffiti and stenciling journey in Bristol during the ’90s as a teenager. His art is characterized by anti-capitalist and anti-establishment themes, heavily influenced by the vibrant arts and music scene of Bristol, which produced bands like Portishead and Massive Attack. He gained significant recognition in 2010 with the release of his documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, which follows French immigrant Thierry Guetta and his fascination with the artist.

Banksy is known for being highly selective about exhibitions of his artwork, making the surprise Cut and Run show particularly noteworthy. His last exhibition, Banksy Vs. Bristol Museum, occurred in 2009 and featured 100 previously unseen pieces alongside the works of Old Masters and classical sculptures normally exhibited at the Bristol Museum. Although most pieces were taken down after the exhibit concluded, one work, Angel Bust, remains on display at the museum.

Tips for Visiting “Banksy: Cut and Run”

Tickets for Banksy: Cut and Run, running until August 28, can be purchased through the exhibition’s website. Adult tickets start at $17, while children's admission is just $6. Same-day tickets are available for purchase at 9 a.m. each day at GOMA. Note that photography is not allowed inside Cut and Run, but visitors can request complimentary souvenir Polaroids from staff. The gallery hours are Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning.

If you’re visiting Glasgow for this exhibit, consider staying at Native Glasgow or Dakota, both conveniently located near GOMA. Native Glasgow features 64 apartment-style hotel rooms in a historic Edwardian building, just a minute’s walk from the gallery. Dakota, housed in a modern brick structure and recognized for its upscale accommodations, is about a 13-minute stroll from GOMA.