Is Banksy’s art coming to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila this year?

Are artworks by Banksy coming to Manila this year?

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila announced the “Banksy Universe” through a series of Instagram posts that when put together, will show a young girl who reaches for a heart-shaped balloon. It is one of the artist’s most memorable characters.

“Banksy Universe, Manila 2024. Spraying soon…” the Met teased.

It added, “‘Art is not a crime.’”

On its Instagram bio, Banksy Universe said it is “A journey into the captivating universe of one of the most revolutionary artists of our time.”

It quickly turned viral as Bonifacio Global City also shared the same images on its various social media channels. While a number of netizens sounded excited, there are those skeptical about a possible exhibit.

“Banksy's art is anarchism. Museums are one of the institutions he is trying to resist. To see if he got this approved, you can check it on the artist's/artists' exclusive website: https://pestcontroloffice.com/faq.asp,” a user commented.

“I hope this is sanctioned because otherwise, this is in bad taste and totally against the artist and his principles,” another user said.

While Banksy shows at museums are not unheard of — the Moco Museum in Amsterdam has a permanent Banksy exhibit on display — pestcontroloffice.com, which is "the sole point contact for the artist," has said “Banksy is not involved or associated” with any exhibit, gallery, or institution in any country.

Banksy also said on the website that their art is not available to license for commercial use.

“Only Pest Control Office have permission to use or license my artwork. If someone else has granted you permission, you don’t have permission,” Banksy said.

So what is going on at The Met? GMA News Online has reached out to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and the Banksy Universe Instagram account for further information regarding the "Banksy Universe."

A representative from the museum said they are scheduled to release more details in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the Banksy Universe is yet to reply as of this posting.

Banksy is a UK-based, anonymous street artist whose pieces tackle themes like anti-war, anti-consumerism, anti-fascism, anti-imperialism, anti-authoritarianism, anarchism, and nihilism.

Through media such as spray painting and sculpture, his works also explore the existentialism, greed, poverty, hypocrisy, boredom, and loneliness of humanity, among many others.

— LA, GMA Integrated News