In the summer of 2009, Banksy staged his first major museum exhibition in his hometown of Bristol. Titled Banksy versus Bristol Museum, the show marked an unprecedented takeover of the Edwardian galleries, where over 100 works by the artist were integrated into the museum’s permanent collection. From Old Master paintings reimagined with satirical twists to sculptures hidden among historical displays, the exhibition blurred the line between institutional authority and subversive street art.
The museum itself was transformed into an immersive environment. Visitors were greeted by a burnt-out ice cream van blasting distorted music, topped with a melting cone, while inside, fish fingers swam in a goldfish bowl and chicken nuggets populated surreal natural history displays. Playful yet unsettling, the exhibition challenged expectations of what belonged within a museum and became one of Banksy’s most ambitious projects, drawing record crowds and international acclaim.
Poster for Banksy, Banksy vs. Bristol Museum, 2009.
