On our “must do” list this summer was a trip to Bristol to see the Banksy exhibit.

So who is this “Banksy” guy, and what is so special about this exhibit?

Banksy is a graffiti artist, and his exhibit at the Bristol Museum was unlike any other I’ve been to. It was well worth the two-hour wait to get in the door.

Not much is known about the elusive artist (including his real identity… although there has been speculation), but his art has been described as having anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment themes, and I would concur with that description.

I was pleased to see Banksy address our culture’s treatment of animals as commodities. Both Mr Thrifty and I saw an obvious message in some of Banksy’s works. Though I’m not sure how many people saw past the “clever” art and caught a glimpse of the message (or at least, what we perceived as the message!)

Here, then, are some of our photos from the Banksy versus Bristol Museum exhibit.

The museum’s usual information desk was replaced by this burned-out ice cream van. And on the back of the van…

…naughty children carrying a bottle and knife.

Most of Banksy’s works were on the main floor, with the remainder placed throughout the regular museum exhibits.

Is this an accurate depiction of Banksy’s studio?

This is how zebras stay clean.

The secret to great art.

For those who live in a happy world of denial – your chicken nuggets actually used to be living, breathing animals. (This piece was animated… the “chicks” were pecking at the sauce. )

Also… this is not how cosmetics are tested on animals. (Another animatronic piece, with the bunny blinking and filing her nails.)

So this is where art comes from! Very realistic — the monkey was breathing and blinking.

A leopard lounging on a branch, with his tail twitching. Or is it?

For those who still wear real fur… take a moment to consider what it used to be. This brings to mind an anti-fur Mutts (Patrick McDonnell) comic strip, “I like my fur breathing.”

More Banksy photos coming in another post.

Hope you all had a great summer!