BANKSY GOES TO BURY!

Below is an excerpt from Suffolk News, Bury Free Press about an upcoming exhibition John Brandler has had a great hand in helping make happen:

A Banksy wall painting never before exhibited in the UK will be on show at Moyse’s Hall in Bury St Edmunds early next year.

It will be part of the Moments exhibition, which will also include works by some of the the world’s best-known contemporary artists, including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, Kaws, Pure Evil, Connor Brothers and Rachel List and will run from February 14 until May 30.

But the highlight will be the inclusion of Banksy’s seven foot wall featuring Heart Boy, originally painted by the anonymous, subversive and satirical graffiti artist on Goswell Road in Islington, London, near Kings Cross Station.

The demolition of the building in 2009 led to the removal and conservation of the mural – which now measures more than seven feet tall and weighs more than 2,000kg.

Heart Boy, is a life-size image of young boy wielding a wet paintbrush, having just painted a large graffiti pink heart on a brick wall.

Some of the artworks and prints on show will be available to buy.

The exhibition is a major coup for West Suffolk Council, which runs Moyse’s Hall Museum. Cllr Jo Rayner, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said: “This will be of national importance and interest with some items having never been part of a UK exhibition before. On a local level we are looking at how, subject to any restrictions, we might be able to put in workshops and other activities to engage with schools and families.”

The exhibition will be supplemented by a range of workshops, live art demonstrations, artist talks ad pop-up activities themed around the concept of ‘moments’, which will take place at various venues around the town.

A special preview, Art at Night, will take place on February 13 with renowned artist Rachel List, who gained prominence during the first lockdown with her painting NHS Angel. Rachel will be finishing a new piece of work for the exhibition, which will be kept on permanent display at Moyse’s Hall Museum.

An art trail is also planned to view installations around the town and a competition will be held to find West Suffolk’s next great artist.

Moments has been made possible thanks to John Brandler from Brandler Galleries, who said: “This exhibition will be very special to me as I want it to be inclusive involving children, youths and adults in creating art and an even more beautiful town. It will no doubt attract a lot of cultural tourism to Bury St Edmunds, but I am just as excited about the additional things happening around the exhibition, such as the free workshops with local schools and special evening events with renowned artists such as Pure Evil and the Connor Brothers.

“We’ll also be running four charity events during the exhibition, benefiting the entire local community. It is not just about showing art but also about opening people’s eyes to see what is around them.”

Admission to Moments will be £5 for adults, £3 concessions and children aged 5-16 years and £15 for a family (2+3). Moyse’s Hall is open 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and noon-4pm on Sundays.

Timed viewing slots of one hour must be pre-booked either online at moyseshall.org, in person at The Apex or by calling The Apex on 01284 758000. Covid-19 safety measures will be followed.