When a museum announced that world-renowned artist Banksy would have a show in the Philippines, people reacted with mixed emotions, both online and offline.
Tarantadong Kalbo, a famed social media activist and artist, released a work condemning the supposed exhibition. But why are people, especially artists, taking a stand against this?
For context, Banksy, whose real name and identity remain a secret, is believed to have originated in Bristol, England. He is an artist-activist whose graffiti-style works carry strong political and social commentary. Through satirical and subversive images combined with dark humor, the artist’s works have appeared in different cities across the world, spreading a powerful message against war, capitalism, and other socio-political issues. Despite his unknown identity, his works have become influential in contemporary street art, fetching high prices at auction.
Given this background, Tarantadong Kalbo (or Kevin Eric Raymundo in real life), in an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, said that the venue for Banksy’s supposed show doesn’t fit the artist’s message.
“Medyo ironic,” he said last April 25, 2024, at the opening of the Philippine Book Festival 2024 at the World Trade Center. “When we say Banksy, it’s graffiti art, yun yung main work nya. And BGC as a place [for his show] medyo contradicting yun.”
Graffiti is a form of street art in which artists express their political viewpoints by painting on various public spaces and walls. Since it’s also a protest, works are usually done without permission.
“For the same time bawal naman talagang gumawa ng graffiti sa place na yun,” he continued. “Unless they have a permit. But the nature of graffiti is protest art. You don’t ask for permission. Ang cringe lang na they will feature an artist dun sa isang museum. So parang may disconnect even official or hindi. Yun yung reaction ko sa announcement nila.”
This apparent discrepancy between the nature of graffiti as protest art and its presentation in a museum continues to spark debate over the authenticity of the message conveyed.
Manila Bulletin Lifestyle has asked the Metropolitan Museum of Manila for a statement and will update the story upon receiving it.