“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” – Banksy
Who is Banksy? Moco Museum features a selection of Banksy's original art executed throughout the street artist’s noteworthy career and that most represents the exceptional identity and ideals.
Explore the critical mirror that the artist holds up to modern society as monkeys, rats, police, and elements of surveillance entice you to reflect. Selected iconic signatures from a diverse body of work that celebrates the voice of the streets are displayed at Moco Museum in Barcelona.
Banksy’s exhibit in Barcelona includes iconic artworks: Laugh Now, Girl with Balloon, Flower Thrower, Forgive Us For Our Trespassing, Bullet Hole Bust, and more. All exhibited works have been provided with a certificate of authenticity from Pest Control* - the only official entity that verifies the artist's work.
*The 'Laugh Now' exhibition is not authorized by Banksy, nor was it curated in collaboration with the artist.
Anonymous. Street art. British. Need we say more?
Banksy is one of the most influential artists of our time. The elusive street artist has developed an incredible, recognized body of work that carries a political punch!
The street artist and activist uses satire and dark humor to unpack topics like anti-war, anti-authority, and environmental and socio-political issues.
As a result, Banksy’s heavy impact on this world unites humans and art lovers - as the street artist’s work connects our collective consciousness. Banksy is a living example that art can change the world.
A coarse reintrerpretation of classics
Moco Museum considers Banksy a Modern Master thanks to the artist's contribution to modern art. In the 2005 exhibition “Crude Oils” in Notting Hill, London, the street artist confronted prominent painters of the past, by presenting a remixed version of Old Master paintings along with 164 live rats.
The Crude or Corrupted Oil Series in detail features found or preexisting paintings upon which Banksy updates by painting contemporary contexts. The political activist show featured tainted Monet and Van Gogh replicas overpainted with twisted satires.
Banksy’s legacy: “Be positive, patient, and persistent.”
Ultimately, Banksy is renowned for street art. From large-scale murals to quiet, emotional pieces - like Girl with Balloon - Banksy’s art can be found in streets and museums all around the world, including the Moco Museums, in both its Amsterdam and Barcelona locations.
Banksy
Girl with Balloon (Gold)
Banksy
CCTV
Who's laughing now?
The Laugh Now exhibition joins authenticated artworks made by Banksy for the indoor art market. In detail, many of the works come from private collections and collectors that would otherwise remain unseen. Laugh Now is curated to give visitors an encyclopedic overview of the anonymous street artist’s diversity in skill, technique, and use of materials.
Banksy uses monkeys to remark on what's hilarious and hypocritical about being human. Perhaps monkeys parallel Banksy's rising journey as a street artist - from alleyways to museums?
Before, the street artist's works were regarded as nothing more than vandalism with style in a world where there were rules, boundaries, and strict definitions of art.
Now, street art has arrived and Banksy is the most regarded street artist in the world.
Not all artworks are always on display.
Our collection exhibits artwork on loan and from the Moco Collection. We keep our exhibitions ever-evolving, so every visit is a fresh experience. Occasionally, this means some artworks online are not always on view in the museum. We appreciate your understanding.
