Colchester To Host Banksy Exhibition

Colchester is preparing to welcome a major new street art exhibition at The Minories this autumn, bringing together original works by Banksy alongside leading figures from the global urban art scene.

Titled Out of Line, the exhibition will showcase 28 original artworks by Banksy, accompanied by pieces from more than twenty prominent street and urban contemporary artists. Organisers emphasise the authenticity of the collection, noting that every piece on display is either an original artwork or an artist-certified print.

A major highlight of the exhibition is Rat with Drill, a previously unseen work by Banksy that will be displayed publicly for the first time. Its debut marks what organisers describe as a historic moment for both the gallery and the city.

Iconic works and large-scale installations

In addition to works on canvas and paper, visitors will encounter two large-scale painted walls: Hula Hoop Girl, originally created in Nottingham in 2020, and Sandcastle Boy, first painted in Lowestoft in 2021. These installations aim to capture the scale and immediacy that define Banksy’s public art.

Leading names in street art

The exhibition features an extensive lineup of influential artists, including The Connor Brothers, Ben Eine, Blek Le Rat, KAWS, Invader, Shepard Fairey and Stik, among others. Together, they represent a movement that has transformed public spaces into platforms for artistic expression, political commentary and cultural dialogue.

Many of the works have been lent by Brandler Galleries, one of the UK’s leading dealers in street and urban contemporary art.

Backing culture and boosting the city

The exhibition has been supported by Colchester City Council through a targeted grant to The Minories. The initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen the city’s cultural offering, increase visitor numbers and support local businesses.

David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said the exhibition would help “drive footfall, support local businesses and reinforce Colchester’s growing reputation as a cultural destination,” adding that it enables residents to experience world-class art locally.

A city shaped by dissent

Organisers say Colchester’s long history of rebellion and resistance makes it a fitting location for an exhibition centred on art and dissent. From Boudicca’s revolt against Roman rule in AD 60, to the Peasants’ Revolt, the city has been at the heart of key moments of defiance.

Further episodes include the persecution of Protestant martyrs during the reign of Mary I of England and the Siege of Colchester, underscoring a long tradition of challenging authority.

Out of Line draws on this legacy, inviting visitors to consider how street art continues that spirit of resistance in a modern context.

Emma Howe, Director of The Minories, described the exhibition as unprecedented for the gallery. “Banksy and other street artists have changed the way millions of people engage with art,” she said. “To bring these works to Colchester, including a piece the world has genuinely never seen, feels extraordinary.”