Georgian Museum of Fine Arts to host Banksy display to mark anniversary

Contemporary art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see Banksy: Birth of an Icon, a display curated by Steve Lazarides, at the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts in capital Tbilisi to mark the fifth anniversary of the venue later this month.

The Museum said the exhibition was following the transition of the acclaimed British graffiti artist Banksy from street art to museum walls, involving an “exclusive photo collection and gripping video materials” by curator Lazarides, with the event “culminating” with original works by the artist from the private collection of the British Lord Edward Churchill.

Turf War Photo via Georgian Museum of Fine Arts

It also said the exhibits would include works using sculpture, canvas, authentic street blinders and more, with the event set to open on October 18 and run for four months.

Photo via Georgian Museum of Fine Arts

Lazarides, the curator of the event, said the exhibition highlighted Banksy's journey and also included their “nearly twelve-year creative partnership” during which served as the artist’s manager, photographer, driver and more after their 1997 meeting, when Banksy was an “unknown young graffiti artist from Bristol”. 

You will enjoy his oeuvre from two different angles: documentary photos taken by me—which will introduce you to his origins, meaning how it all started — and his originals to show how far Banksy has transcended the boundaries and how far ahead of time he was. Gradually, as you proceed through the exhibition, you will see for yourselves why the art world iconizes him and what makes this vandal a cult figure”, he added.

The venue also said along with Banksy’s originals, one of the showrooms would showcase works by Georgian street artists, curated by Elene Kapanadze, and noted the featured creatives were “actively working” in Tbilisi’s streets and their works reflected their “hallmark styles and impact on Georgian culture”.

Photo via Georgian Museum of Fine Arts

It also said the display served to enable local viewers to celebrate the museum’s anniversary by savouring an “exclusive exhibition” and “meeting the legend”, while it also served as the venue’s efforts to support Georgian street art. 

Organisers also said they were seeking to put Tbilisi on the “world map of arts” with the event.