Banksy
Banksy is an anonymous street artist and political activist closely associated with Bristol, where the artist's early work appeared and several original pieces can still be seen. The artist's identity has never been officially confirmed, which is part of the legend.
In practice
Banksy emerged from Bristol's graffiti scene in the 1990s, and works in the city include the "Well Hung Lover" on Frogmore Street, visible from Park Street, and "Girl with a Pierced Eardrum" near the Harbourside. In 2009 the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery staged an exhibition of the artist's work, "Banksy versus Bristol Museum", which drew huge queues. Some pieces have been damaged, removed or protected over the years, so check before setting out.
Why it matters to newcomers
Banksy is the most famous name connected with Bristol's street-art culture, and tours, maps and shops make the most of it. The city's wider street-art scene, from Stokes Croft to the Upfest festival in Bedminster, is as interesting as the famous pieces.
Related
- Stokes Croft - the heart of the street-art scene
- Harbourside - where one of the best-known pieces is
- Gloucester Road - murals along the way
Source: Bristol Museums.