Petition to keep Banksy in Bristol
By WestburyOnTrym People | Saturday, August 22, 2009, 07:00
A father-of-three is campaigning to keep the ever-popular Banksy exhibition in Bristol.
Robert Chandler, 44, is rallying public support to extend the exhibition beyond the "death sentence" of August 31.
Although the elusive artist has already ruled out the possibility of an extension to the exhibition at its current home in the Bristol Museum, Mr Chandler hopes to generate enough public support to get them to consider other options.
He is calling for people to join the Facebook group 1,000,000 to keep Banksy in Bristol.
He said: "I think it was very courageous for Bristol City Council and the Bristol Museum to take on this exhibition, I'd like to congratulate them but we need to think about how we can keep the momentum going.
"I have spoken to so many people who live in Bristol who haven't managed to see it yet, even those who live five minutes away from the museum.
"I haven't seen it yet and so many ways this campaign is very selfish. I'm out of Bristol until August 28, I've heard the horror stories of people queuing all day and still not getting in and already I'm worrying about how I will get to see it.
"For me I think August 31 will be like a funeral, it will be like losing a long-lost friend."
But Mr Chandler, from Westbury-on-Trym, who works in marketing and television, said he feels so passionately about his campaign because of the effect Banksy has created in the city.
"This is a positive thing. Banksy is a Bristol boy – we need to keep the exhibition here. This has brought people from all over world to Bristol and I don't think they are queuing just because it is free.
"Why not charge for the exhibition? Why not move it to another site in Bristol?
"Imagine if it were in an empty shop somewhere it would help trade in the area. I know another exhibition is opening at the museum in September, ironically called the End of the Line, but Banksy could come back afterwards or they could dedicate a floor or a room could be kept with different pieces of his work to keep it fresh.
"The question we need to ask is how can we keep Banksy here?"
Banksy Versus Bristol Museum has attracted unprecedented visitor numbers, with people queuing for hours to see it. The city council has held various late night openings to help meet the demand.
Comments
Bristol should have a permanent exhibition of Banksy work. After all Banksy grew up in Bristol, and the city should be proud of their artist son. The interest in him is world-wide. The very fact that Banksy has staged this event and given so much to causes he believes in should be celebrated by Bristol in a long-term display.
I know lots of people that would love to have seen the exhibition, but weren't able to make it this year, it would be great to be able to take them to see his work in the future.
By Red20091 at 13:15 on 24/08/09
ReportGraffiti artists, by their intent, are marginal people. Though Banksy and his crew have been innovative in their guile, a permanent, council endorsed exhibition would dilute his voice. If the Banksy camp approved this, it would be great to see more work, like the Palestine pieces.
By HywelE at 11:34 on 24/08/09
ReportGood idea.
A permanent display would be great for the city.
Yes, I know we've got some on outside walls, buth the artist in question creates more than just graffiti.
By Trym_Tales at 19:31 on 23/08/09
Report