NORFOLK, Va. — Banksy’s "Haight Street Rat" is now on display at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries at Old Dominion University through April 7.
The anonymous English street artist known as Banksy is notorious in the art world for stunts — including his most recent in 2018 when he remotely shredded a framed print of his "Girl With Balloon" following its sale for $1.4 million at a Sotheby’s auction.
Banksy’s "Haight Street Rat" is now on view at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries. The exhibition coincides with the release of his 2010 film "Exit Through the Gift Shop," an ODU news release said.
Banksy visited San Francisco and painted six stencil murals, including a seven‐foot‐tall rat above Haight Street.
While the remaining murals in San Francisco were destroyed, art collector Brian Greif quickly set to work with the Haight Street property owner and others to arrange careful removal of the Victorian‐era redwood siding slats bearing the art.
The 2017 film "Saving Banksy" — currently on Netflix streaming — chronicles Greif’s efforts.
“This is a chance to see a Banksy up close,” Old Dominion University’s Executive Director for the Arts, Cullen Strawn said. “It can help us think about cultural and ethical dimensions of creating, preserving, and profiteering from street art.”
Andy Cratt, a Virginia Beach man, stopped by to see the piece with his two kids on Saturday.
"I jumped at the opportunity to come see a world-famous artist painting" said Cratt.
"You hear a lot of stories about Banksy being an anonymous artist, it's just neat to see something of his in real life. Now, I can tell all my friends and family I've seen a Banksy. "
No one knows the true meaning behind the "Haight Street Rat," but Strawn said he has an idea.
"I think Banksy is talking about people who are punished just for existing in the world. You can't help the situation you're born into, much like a rat. I think Banksy likes to get into ideas of treating people equally and being fair and kind to people," said Strawn.
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