Due to popular demand, The Art of Banksy at Straz Center has been extended through Sunday, Sept. 27. The exhibit opens to the public on Friday, July 31.
Featuring more than 160 original works, The Art of Banksy is the world’s largest collection of authenticated privately-owned Banksy art. This globally acclaimed showcase is the original London exhibition and features original and authenticated works created by the most intriguing and talked-about artist in modern art history. On display are prints, hand-drawn sketches, canvases, screenprints, sculptures, unique works and limited-edition pieces.
The exhibit features iconic works such as “Girl with Balloon” and “Rude Copper” alongside some of Banksy’s lesser-known masterpieces. Guests will experience the original “Flower Thrower.” This original piece was created in 1997 as a Valentine’s Day gift for Banksy’s then girlfriend, Leonie Laws, whose exclusively-filmed testimonial will also be presented. Visitors in Tampa will also experience a signed, previously unseen work: Banksy’s “Mona Lisa,” originally purchased directly from Banksy by actor Brad Pitt for his private collection. Both works are now on public display in the United States of America for the first time.
The Art of Banksy has welcomed more than one million visitors worldwide in Melbourne, Tel Aviv, Auckland, Toronto, Miami, Gothenburg, Sydney and ran two years in London. In 2010, Time magazine selected Banksy for its list of the worlds’ 100 most influential people among the company of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and Lady Gaga.
Regularly priced tickets for The Art of Banksy start at $29.99 and may be reserved online at www.strazcenter.org, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Sales Office or by calling 813.229.7827 or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay. Special rates for students, seniors, military and children are available. Tickets are on sale now.
For more information about Straz Center for the Performing Arts and its upcoming events, visit www.strazcenter.org.