Amelie CameronBanksy has always been one of art’s greatest mysteries. All anyone knows about him is that he’s based in England (probably in Bristol) and was born either in 1974 or 1975. As for his appearance, personal life, and real name, they’re all up for speculation.
He started getting attention in the 1990s for his satirical street art and subversive epigrams in the Bristol underground scene. His political and social commentary, along with his dark humor and distinctive stenciling technique, appealed to many people.
Now, he has several exhibits in his name. The Art of Banksy is the most popular, and it has three locations: one in England (London) and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver).
If you’re thinking about visiting soon, I can be your guide!
Things to Know
Address: 1 Yonge St, Lighthouse Artspace
How to Get There
By subway: The closest subway station to the exhibit is the Union Station. It’s a 10-minute walk from there.
By streetcar: If you’re riding a streetcar, here are the closest streetcar stops: Queens Quay East at Yonge Street, Yonge Street at Queens Quay East (north side), Queens Quay West at Bay Street (east side), and Queens Quay East at Freeland Street.
By car: Keep in mind that there’s no dedicated parking on-site, but you can find several public parking lots nearby, especially along Yonge Street and Queens Quay.
Tickets
– From: banksyexhibit
There are four kinds of tickets you can buy: Basic, Premium, VIP, and Child (6–16 years old). The Basic ticket is standard admission, while Premium and VIP have their own perks.
| Premium Perks | VIP Perks |
| Limited-edition poster Flexibility to change the date and time of your booking Flexibility to arrive +/- 1 hour of your time slot | Priority access Limited-edition posterVIP souvenir laminate VIP Lounge access Flexibility to change the date and time of your booking Flexibility to arrive +/- 1 hour of your time slot |
The prices for these tickets will depend on when you’re attending: primetime, peak, or off-peak.
Primetime refers to slots on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Peak is in the evenings and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Off-peak is Monday to Friday, mornings and early afternoons.
| Ticket Type | When You’re Visiting | Price |
| Basic | Prime | C$44.99 |
| Premium | C$59.99 | |
| VIP | C$99.99 | |
| Child | C$34.99 | |
| Basic | Peak | C$44.99 |
| Premium | C$54.99 | |
| VIP | C$89.99 | |
| Child | C$34.99 | |
| Basic | Off-Peak | C$34.99 |
| Premium | C$49.99 | |
| VIP | C$74.99 | |
| Child | C$29.99 |
If you choose to buy the Basic ticket, you can purchase as an add-on the ability to change the date and time of your exhibit up to 48 hours in advance of your scheduled attendance. This add-on only costs C$3.99.
Exhibit Hours
– From: toronto__yummy and banksyexhibit
There are no fixed operating hours for this exhibit. Instead, there are set time slots for each viewing. The exhibit opens 15 minutes before the first entry time of the day and closes 15 minutes after the start of the last entry.
Accessibility
- The entrance, lobby, and theater are wheelchair-accessible. There’s also designated wheelchair seating throughout the venue.
- Wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters are allowed.
- Service animals are allowed, but you need to be mindful that they don’t disrupt the other visitors.
- Masks aren’t required, but you’re free to wear one if you want.
- Patrons accompanying people with disabilities receive free admission.
What You Can and Can’t Bring
| What You Can Bring | What You Can’t |
| Mobility aids like walkers, scooters, and wheelchairs Strollers Camera (photo and video) Service animals | Backpacks, luggage, and duffle bags Paints and aerosolsIndelible markers Weapons of any type Outside food and beverages (including alcohol) Bikes, helmets, skateboards, Heelys, rollerblades, and non-mobility aid scooters Camping chairs Tripods |
This list changes often, so be sure to check with the website before your visit. You can also send a query via the contact form if you want clarification on certain items.
What to Expect
161 Original and Authenticated Works
– From: banksyexhibit
The Art of Banksy holds 161 original and authenticated works. This makes it the largest collection of privately owned Banksy art in the world!
This collection consists of different types of artwork and mediums. Most are prints and canvases, but there are also screenprints, sculptures, and limited-edition pieces. There are even video testimonials by a close associate of Banky who worked on his prints.
Several pieces have captured my attention. These are “Girl and Balloon,” “Flower Thrower,” and “Rude Copper,” which also happen to be some of Banksy’s best-known works.
I’m also happy that I got to see his rendition of “Mona Lisa,” which is kind of eerie with the blurry effect on the face. This one is only available for a limited time.
Hand-Drawn Sketches and Lesser-Known Masterpieces
– From: banksyexhibit
Aside from his best-known works, this exhibit also features his hand-drawn sketches and lesser-known masterpieces (the ones on wood and paper).
I love seeing the hand-drawn sketches simply because they seem simple at first glance but are actually complex in terms of messaging and techniques (my friend loved telling me all about this).
Some sketches don’t even look like finished pieces. Instead, they look like first drafts of a finished product, and I find that fascinating to see. It’s always interesting to see the creative process unfold across several pieces.
An Opportunity to Win a Genuine Banksy
– From: banksyexhibit
If you’re an avid Banksy fan, then you’ll be delighted to know that you have the opportunity to win a genuine Banksy artwork. This artwork is one of his so-called “Di-Face Tenner” bills.
These bills are essentially £10 notes, but instead of the Queen as the face of the bill, it’s Princess Diana. There are also other details on the bills that denote Banksy’s dry humor. For example, instead of Bank of England, it’s “Banksy of England.”
This seems like a wonderful collectible to get from your favorite artist. If you’re lucky, these bills will be available during your visit, and you can win one on a raffle!
