The Art of Banksy Has Landed in Denver With a Bang

Photos courtesy Rebecca Gart

“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable” — these are the words of Banksy, a pseudonymous England-based street artist whose identity has remained a mystery since the 1990s when his political street art and satirical graffiti started appearing on streets, walls and bridges throughout the globe.

Today through mid-June, the Art of Bansky is on display in Downtown Denver, a showcase of the world’s largest collection of privately owned Banksy art that flaunts social commentary, dark humor and intrigue. There have been pranks, speculation, and much press about one of the world’s most famous political artists, but the collection speaks for itself.

The show is located within the legendary Sports Castle at 10th and Broadway, a $35 million exhibit featuring more than 80 prints, canvases, screen prints, sculptures and limited-edition pieces that date between 1997 and 2008.

Some will recognize the “Girl and Balloon” or “Flower Thrower,” two of Banksy’s iconic works that have been much talked about, but there is so much more to view. My husband and I scored tickets for opening day, not knowing much about Bansky, but thoroughly enjoyed wandering through the multi-level exhibit, laughing out loud, taking photos, and chatting with other awestruck guests. It was an astonishing experience, and I can’t wait to go back with our teenage son to show him the ingenuity of one of the most famous guerrilla street artists to make their mark on society.