I had the pleasure of popping into the permanent Banksy Museum.
I remember first hearing of Banksy while growing up—unknown, mysterious, faceless artist from the UK. I instantly wanted to know who he was, what he was all about, and why. Why him? What made him his movement and his art so special?
I had great admiration for him, respectfully. Life went on, and my dear friend Jeff Carrillo, who’s a talented photographer, was sharing with me how he would shoot with Mr. Brainwash all the time, all around the world. Carrillo also introduced me to the famous doc Exit Through the Gift Shop and told me the story of what happened behind the scenes with the film.
I guess Mr. Brainwash had so much footage piling up—filling at least one room—and the result was a mess. I was told that Banksy stepped in and said, “If you’re going to put this out there, for the love of art and the times,” he decided to step in and make it what we all see today. Banksy even makes a cameo in it.
When I was at the Banksy Museum, I learned they have movie night every Monday, showing different art films. I saw Exit Through the Gift Shop was playing, and it read, “A film by Banksy.” I was a bit taken aback and stunned. I didn’t know it was a film by Banksy—I thought he had just stepped in to help tie it in a bow to make some sense.
I understand Mr. Brainwash’s perspective, as I share similar waves of creating, being, taking quick action, capturing everything, and every single moment of everything.
I personally have learned it’s something called “disorganized thoughts.”
Like, we have all these ideas and visions. Each is so solid and strong. And instead of just doing one of them—however many ideas excite us—we show up and do it all. Because you never know. Anyhow, sometimes, they all end up getting very tangled. I do not speak for Mr. Brainwash; I speak for myself. However, hearing, watching, and witnessing from afar, I feel a connection—energetic, spiritual, whatever you wanna call it. I identify as a mirror—a mirror reflection that I see and feel.
Photo Credit : Charles Lowe
It’s funny—on the very last piece before entering “into the gift shop,” there were two lovely ladies, and one blonde openly said, “Exit through the gift shop.” I turned to her and said, “Yes! There’s a doc blah blah blah,” and at that moment, I realized she was talking about the place, time, and now. I had an aha moment, where I realized the genius of the title—that in every famous museum you go to, when you leave, you exit through the gift shop! How cheeky!
Right when we arrived, my friend and I were graciously greeted by the staff—Andrew at the front door. Online, the messaging says it takes about one hour. I thought, knowing me, I’ll milk every last drop… and I did. We were there for over three hours. I like taking my time—reading and learning. I was so moved and inspired that afterward, when we were debriefing, I got so vulnerable that I started to well up for the love of the craftsmanship of the one and only BANKSY.
Photo Credit : Charles Lowe
Many can have ideas—genius ones at that—but to actually actualize your dreams into reality, into matter, and then for all to weep and indulge over what was birthed from one mind, one being who so cleverly observed society, what people wanted, and heard the needs of culture through humanity… In addition, he made wordplay, juxtaposition through comedy, hardships, politics—politically—but let’s get it straight: Banksy is NOT a political artist. He even invites people and other artists to rape, mock, steal, and utilize his work in any way one sees and feels fit. Have no fear, have no control—have it, give it, take it. It’s all flattery, I’m sure. Now, Banksy has multiple museums around the world.
Photo Credit : Charles Lowe
While I was at the Banksy Museum at 277 Canal Street, I learned that Banksy self-funded an art project at a hotel in Paris, and you—yes, you reading this (and me)—can go stay there! I was just in France over the summer for eight weeks—five weeks in Paris—and I had NO idea! I now have a new place and desire for when I go to Paris again! What if Banksy personally invited me? Such fantasy, what a dream… See the way I am thinking? Trust me—when you go to the Banksy Museum, you will be moved, and a wonderful impact will open the best part of your heart. And when you leave, you get to take the inspiration with you and share it with others.
Photo Credit : Charles Lowe
Oh, I had no clue about ambigrams, and that RAT connected with the word ART. Urghhh, melting over here. Banksy shares his story on rats being his muses and the history of this French artist, Blek Le Rat (Xavier Prou), who, in the early 1980s, brought it onto the scene.
“Rats…they exist without permission. They are hated, hunted, and persecuted. They live in quiet desperation amongst the filth. And yet they are capable of bringing entire civilizations to their knees.” – BANKSY
Okay! Last details of what I’ll share, but not least! Banksy shared how he would take older oil paintings and make them more modern. I had NO idea he did that!
Photo Credit : Charles Lowe
While I was in Dordogne over the summer, I took my Posca markers to create and shared with anyone who wanted to play with me. There were around 23 of us in total. Maybe four of us were creating, and the owner of the home—she came out with five old, dusty, worn pieces of art. Four were mid-size; one was big—massive. She asked if I wanted to paint on these, and I excitedly said yes and selected the biggest one. It was a nature oil painting. The homeowner was bored of the colours and didn’t like certain colours, so I consulted with her—which colours didn’t she like, and which out of what I had did she like? Boom! From there, in 15, definitely less than 30 minutes, the piece was done! She absorbed it as the new piece was vibrant, full of love, to say the least.
I came back to America, and while visiting my dear friend, who’s an art dealer, she said, “K, this is special. This could be your thing—go around, get old pieces, and make them modern.” I reflected—this would be cool. Instead of starting from a blank canvas, I already have a story, colours, and textures to build on. I thought to myself, This is easy—or taking the easy way out. No one will accept or look at me as a true artist if I paint and draw on top of someone else’s art.
Photo Credit : Charles Lowe
Well, after seeing Banksy’s art, I realized how judgmental I was being of myself and how I wasn’t even giving myself a fair shot. I wonder how many other people do this? Not even give themselves room to play, explore, discover, and have fun… This is what art is all about. I healed a puzzle piece. I think this is what art does, too.
Also, while reflecting, I remember over the years I’ve seen a friend of mine, Matty Mo, who goes by The Most Famous Artist brand—he too, I think, has done something similar: art, frames, and then easily just placing a banana, a black slash, etc. (Have a look-see at his art.) He’s a marketing genius and just states, “This is art.”