As Banksy announces their first art exhibition in 14 years, opening tomorrow at the Gallery of Modern Art, we remember the artists’ first exhibition in Glasgow that arrived at a defining point in the artist’s career. Banksy began as a freehand graffiti artist in Bristol from 1990 to 1994. During this time he met Bristol photographer Steve Lazarides who began selling Banksy’s artwrok.
By 2000, their chosen medium was stencilling ensuring a quick installation process. The striking and subversive images and slogans that established Banksy’s global reputation in the art work began to emege.
A year before the first Banksy exhibition in Los Angeles, and two years before the Turf War exhibition in a London warehouse that featured subverted paintings and Union Flag motifs, the artist was in Glasgow.
Exhibition photographs by Steve Lazarides.
17. Artwork
Steve Lazarides’ picture of this artwork from the show. | Banksy
18. Banksy
Another view of the Banksy section of the Glasgow exhibition that was largely ignored. | Banksy
19. Restoration
In 2008 restoration work was attempted to uncover the Banksy artwork at The Arches. It was later removed.
20. Echoes of art
Landmark Street Art listed the remnants of a piece from the exhibition for sale: “The restorers removed the piece at the bequest of the owners where it was originally painted in Glasgow.” | Banksy