Three locations to host art exhibition by series of controversial street artists

Following the success of the “Moments” exhibition at Moyse’s Hall Museum, in Bury St Edmunds, in 2021, which attracted nearly 25,000 visitors, West Suffolk is set to host one of the country’s biggest modern art exhibitions of 2023 featuring several artworks by controversial street artist, Banksy.

“Urban Frame: Mutiny in Colour” will run simultaneously across three locations during the summer: at Moyse’s Hall Museum, the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, and Haverhill Arts Centre. It is being organised in association with Brandler Galleries.

The exhibition will host over 300 works from some of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists as well as Bansky. These include Blek le Rat, Pure Evil, My Dog Sighs, Kaws, the Connor Brothers, Damien Hurst, Tracey Emin, Sherlock, Swoon, Ben Eine, Bambi, Hush and Lamont White, to name a few.

Running from June 3 until October 1, the all-new display at Moyse’s Hall will include Banksy’s “Sandcastle Girl”, (pictured above, left) which was painted on a wall in Lowestoft during his “spraycation” visit to East Anglia in 2021.

Open on the same dates, the Newmarket exhibition will feature Banksy’s “Hula Hoop Girl” and a Citroen Berlingo van painted for Coventry Museum by My Dog Sighs. This stunning and unique piece features 200 eyes on the bodywork and a pair of hanging “eye cans” as a homage to the furry dice of the time.

Haverhill Arts Centre’s exhibition, from July 10 to September 12, will also include several original Banksy pieces and the critically acclaimed “Argentina” artwork by Swoon, one of the first women street artists.

“Urban Frame: Mutiny in Colour” will be supported by a number of high-profile events and community projects taking place alongside the exhibition throughout the summer.

Jo Rayner, West Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Community Hubs, said: “I am delighted that three venues in West Suffolk are joining forces up to work together for the benefit of the whole region. An amazing 42 per cent of tickets sold for the ‘Moments’ exhibition in 2021 were sold to visitors from outside of the West Suffolk geographic area, with visitors travelling from places as far and wide as New York and Scandinavia specifically to see the exhibition.

“This of course had a much-needed positive impact on local businesses, such as accommodation providers, cafés, bars and restaurants, just as we were coming out the pandemic. With this in mind for 2023, we have also deliberately kept tickets prices low, so that we can maximise footfall to West Suffolk again.  I’m particularly pleased to confirm all children aged under 12, can see this exhibition free of charge.”

Frances Stanley, chairman of Trustees National Horse Racing Museum, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Brandler Galleries, Moyses Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill Arts Centre to bring vibrant street art to three venues across Suffolk. We are particularly excited to be able to display works by contemporary artists such as Banksy, Hirst and Emin at the National Horseracing Museum, in Newmarket, for the first time and we look forward to welcoming a new crowd of visitors to enjoy this very special exhibition.”

And Haverhill Arts Centre’s creative director, Dan Schumann, added: “We are very excited to be hosting this extraordinary exhibition in Haverhill Arts Centre. Bringing the work of internationally renowned artists to Haverhill in such an accessible way is absolutely what our arts centre is here to do and the positive impact on local businesses from the additional foot fall this exhibition promises to bring is the perfect antidote to the effects of the pandemic.

“The arts have a huge part to play in regenerating our town centres, improving the quality of life for our residents and uniting communities; and this exhibition is a wonderful example of how we can achieve these aims and bring great art to everyone at the same time. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Haverhill Arts Centre to enjoy ‘Urban Frame, Mutiny in Colour’.”

Entry prices are £7 per location for adults and £3 for children aged 12 to 18 years, under 12s will be free. Tickets will be available online from Wednesday, February 8, at www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk