The exhibition BANKSY and the Street Art is curated by Daniel Buso. It is organized by ARTIKA in collaboration with Deodato Arte and the Città di Conegliano. It brings to Conegliano, for the very first time, an extensive selection of works by the acclaimed British artist Banksy. Alongside him, the show features some of the most influential figures in this artistic movement: from Keith Haring and Blek le Rat—considered the father of stencil art—to Shepard Fairey (known as Obey) and Invader. The exhibition also includes contemporary artists such as TvBoy, Mr. Savethewall, and Mr Brainwash, who rose to fame partly thanks to the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop.
The exhibition explores an undeniable phenomenon of contemporary art and culture: how urban art has, in just a few years, evolved from an underground and niche form of expression into one of the most widely recognized and mainstream artistic movements in the world. Through the works of its leading figures, the show delves into the central themes that define Street Art: rebellion against established power, pacifism as a response to war and injustice, criticism of the consumerism that dominates today’s society, and a constant anti-system drive that has made this form of art a powerful tool of protest and disruption.
The undisputed star of the exhibition is, of course, Banksy — the street artist known to be from Bristol, yet whose true identity remains a mystery. The intrigue surrounding his persona, along with his increasingly controversial and outspoken works aimed at the world’s “powers that be,” continues to fuel the legend of an elusive and revolutionary figure.
Yet his success also raises questions and contradictions: can we still call it a spontaneous and revolutionary art form when these works sell for millions? And how should we interpret the fact that artists who began as anti-establishment voices now sit at the top of the art market? The exhibition at Palazzo Sarcinelli invites visitors to reflect on these questions, offering an immersive journey into the heart of Street Art—its icons, its contradictions, and its vibrant energy.
