Groundbreaking Banksy exhibit headed to Rome

War, Capitalism & Liberty will be open to the public on May 24

As an extension of his notoriously probing work on grey Bristol streets, celebrated artist Banksy will soon premiere his first ever public exhibition. The exhibition, titled War, Capitalism & Liberty, will feature a selection of never seen before paintings, prints and sculptures, and will run at the Palazzo Cipolla museum in Rome from May 24 to September 4.

Crammed with over 120 paintings, pieces and rare objects—and undoubtedly an overflowing crowd—the curated exhibition promises to show a rich, unrivaled, career-spanning public view of Banksy’s vast collection of street art. It will celebrate the artist's unique brand of satire, humor and dedication to giving a voice to those who can’t be heard.  Among other works, visitors are set to see Banksy's black and white stenciled sandwich board-wearing monkeys, as well as a print of supermodel Kate Moss in the style of Andy Warhol.

War, Capitalism & Liberty comes just a year after the opening of the artist’s temporary theme park, Dismaland. The park, which attacked political issues with grotesque satire, received a wave of publicity—meaning we expect no less from his latest public exhibit.

Stefano Antonelli, who assisted in curating the exhibition said: "Since the 1990s, the artist known as Banksy has used public space to express and exhibit his work, freeing the potential of graffiti and laying down a new blueprint for street art. Advances in internet technologies and image-sharing platforms have consecrated him as an idol for a new generation which has given him a worldwide fame. In the history of Western art, no other artist has managed to bring themes of this magnitude to the attention of a global audience."

See a selection of works featured in the exhibition below.

Originally published in V Magazine