Banksy Exhibition London: Inside the Banksy Limitless Experience

Nina Kay
Jan 6
4 min read

I finally made it to the Banksy exhibition, and honestly? What a way to kick-start the year. I left buzzing. Hands down one of the best exhibitions I’ve ever been to — and yes, I know I said that about Tim Burton, but I’m officially knocking that down to second place.

There was something about this one. It felt bold, loud, uncomfortable in places, and completely unapologetic — exactly how Banksy should feel.

And yes… I finally got to see the full clip of Girl with Balloon being shredded. Iconic doesn’t even cover it.

The Girl With the Balloon (and the Most Banksy Moment Ever)

If you know anything about Banksy, you’ll know this moment.

In 2018, just seconds after the hammer came down at Sotheby’s, an alarm rang out from inside the frame of Girl with Balloon. Before anyone could process what was happening, a hidden shredder built into the artwork itself began slicing the piece in half — right there, in front of a stunned auction room.

Pure chaos. Pure Banksy.

The artwork partially destroyed itself, instantly rewriting art history and — ironically — becoming even more valuable. Three years later, the newly renamed Love Is in the Bin sold for £18.6 million.

Seeing the original auction footage projected in the very first room of the exhibition was such a smart curatorial move. It perfectly captures who Banksy is: wildly successful, deeply subversive, and always one step ahead of the system trying to contain him.

Why I’ll Always Respect Banksy

I love Banksy because he has zero respect for authority — especially when that authority is wrong.

His work doesn’t ask politely. It demands attention. Whether it’s anti-war, anti-capitalism, or in direct solidarity with Palestine, his art is fearless. He doesn’t sit on the fence. He doesn’t dilute the message.

And honestly? I respect that more than anything.

There shouldn’t be politics in standing up for what’s right. Anyone who does so, loudly and unapologetically, is a hero in my eyes.

So in a world full of fakes — be a Banksy.

Banksy Meets Monet (And Completely Ruins Him — In the Best Way)

Monet has always been one of my favourite artists. Seeing his work in Paris at the Musée d’Orsay was genuinely one of those core memory moments — so I had no idea Banksy had created his own version.

Show Me the Monet stopped me in my tracks.

Banksy takes Monet’s peaceful water lily pond and injects it with modern chaos: abandoned shopping trolleys, a bright orange traffic cone, trash floating where beauty once lived. It’s jarring, uncomfortable, and completely intentional.

The message is painfully clear: we worship beauty, legacy, and art history — while actively destroying the world that inspired it.

The piece sold for over £7.5 million in 2020, becoming one of Banksy’s most expensive works. Not bad for a painting that’s basically calling us all out.

The Venue: Calm, Charged, and Slightly Unsettling

From the moment we stepped into the South Kensington venue, there was a noticeable energy. Calm — but charged.

Soft audio played in the background, narrating Banksy’s rise from underground street artist in the ’90s to global phenomenon. It gave context without overpowering the experience, which I really appreciated.

As we moved through the space, everything slowed down. You couldn’t rush this exhibition. Each piece demanded attention — sometimes reflection, sometimes discomfort — and that’s exactly how it should be.

The Artworks: Overstimulating in the Best Way

With hundreds of works in one place, choosing a favourite felt impossible.

There were moments that made me gasp, moments that made me laugh, and others that genuinely made my chest tighten. Screens replayed key cultural moments: Dismaland, the Infinity Room, the Girl with Balloon shredding, and the infamous meat truck filled with screaming plush animals.

Shocking? Yes. Thought-provoking? Absolutely.

Seeing Girl with Balloon in person was surreal. Originally painted on London’s Southbank in 2002, it’s always symbolised hope to me. Knowing its journey — and its self-destruction — only deepened that meaning.

Prankadilly Circus & The Zoo

One of the most memorable parts of the exhibition was Prankadilly Circus — a recreated London Underground station turned into a Banksy playground. There was even a “train” illusion created through moving screens, which honestly felt so clever.

It grounded the exhibition back where Banksy belongs: the streets.

The Zoo installation, inspired by his 2024 animal murals, was another standout. Created to lift the British public, it felt immersive and playful — bright lights, greenery, and a sense of humour layered with meaning.

Banksy always finds a way to make serious points without losing wit.

Why Banksy Is Different

Banksy isn’t just spraying walls.

He cares about the viewer. He wants you to laugh, think, question, and feel slightly uncomfortable — all at once. His work is witty, political, activist, and often deeply human.

Rats, police officers, children, soldiers, bombs — his recurring characters aren’t random. They’re mirrors.

And whether or not you believe the long-held theory that Banksy is Robin Gunningham from Bristol (born 1974), one thing is undeniable: his impact on street art — and art culture as a whole — is massive.

The “Banksy Effect” didn’t just elevate his own work; it brought global attention (and value) to street art entirely.

Ten out of ten from me - Book now!