The Art of Banksy exhibit will open July 31 at the Straz Center in Tampa with 160 authenticated pieces valued at $35 million. This collection transforms Morsani Hall’s stage into a walk-through gallery. Paintings hang beside prints. Sculptures stand among other creations from the anonymous British street artist.
Toronto producer Corey Ross assembled this collection by connecting with private collectors who own original pieces. None of the works come straight from the artist or his authentication company, Pest Control. But every item has been verified as authentic.
“We went out and began to network with all the different collectors, and that’s how this collection got assembled,” Ross told St. Pete Catalyst. “If Banksy came to Tampa and decided to do his own exhibit, it would be something very different than this. But in the meantime, he’s not doing that.”…