A woman who claims to be the former girlfriend of Banksy has loaned a collection of previously unseen artwork to an upcoming exhibition in Salford’s MediaCity.
There are flyers, birthday cards, and an A board for her corset shop at Bristol that she claims was painted by an anonymous graffiti artist.
The famed street artist is said that he was inspired by the Bristol underground scene. He painted The Mild Mild West which depicts a bear with a Molotov cocktail throwing at police.
Banksy’s artwork, Girl With Balloon before it shredded itself after being sold for more than £1 million at auction (Sotheby’s/PA)PA Media – Sotheby’s
The woman, who would like to remain anonymous, stated that she provided six artworks for The Art of Banksy to be exhibited on tour to give the public a chance to view them.
Michel Boersma (curator and producer) said: “Being offered these wonderful and unknown early Banksy works was surprising and really exciting.
“I could not believe what I was reading when the email suddenly appeared in my inbox two weeks ago. If true, these were completely unknown and highly personal works by Banksy.
“We then established the authenticity of the owner and the works she was offering. Speaking with her, a lot of details of the early life of the now world-famous artist were shared.
“Exciting little anecdotes, about her and their live at the time. The six extra pieces have now arrived at the exhibit and are ready, for the first time, to be seen by the public.”
The Art of Banksy exhibit, which will include 145 authenticated works, including prints, canvases and posters, will open at MediaCity in Salford on October 21. It will close on January 8.
The artist has not authorized the traveling art show after it had been in London. All works are on loan from private collectors.
The collection contains works from 2002 through 2017, as well as pieces that have earned international recognition, such Girl With Balloon (2002).
This 1,200 square metre area also contains Rude Copper (2002), Flower Thrower (3) and Brace Yourself (2010).