THE public is making its mark on graffiti artist Banksy’s first British exhibition in three years as a whole street has been transformed into an art exhibition.
The Cans Festival, a three-day street party of stencil art, kicks off yesterday in an old tunnel formerly used by taxis, which was vacated when Eurostar left its Waterloo terminal in London.
Huge installations include smashed up cars, a CCTV camera-laden tree, an ice cream van, a cut-out of the Queen, and statues as well as artwork on the walls.
Boris Johnson also features in murals by a Dutch artist named Hugo Kaagman.
In one piece - We Need Change - the politician’s face appears by a picture of a Smurf.
From today the public can add to the exhibition with their own stencilling.
Banksy said: “Graffiti doesn’t always spoil buildings, in fact it’s the only way to improve a lot of them.
“In the space of a few hours with a couple of hundred cans of paint I’m hoping we can transform a dark forgotten filth pit into an oasis of beautiful art.”
The free event is open to the public from 10am until 10pm on Monday.
After that, the installations will be removed from the road, but the artwork will remain on the walls.
The exhibition takes place in Leake Street, near Waterloo Station.
Members of the public are being invited to take part in Banksy’s latest project, as an army of graffiti artists turn a whole London street into an art exhibition
The Cans Festival starts on Saturday in an old tunnel formerly used by taxis
It was vacated when Eurostar left its Waterloo terminal in London
Banksy had noticed an abandoned access road. Eurostar, which no longer owns the tunnel, helped to put his brainwave into action
Artists from as far afield as Brazil, Canada and Australia are also taking part
Huge installations include smashed up cars, a CCTV camera-laden tree, an ice cream van, a cut out of the Queen and statues, as well as artwork on the walls
Banksy said: “Graffiti doesn’t always spoil buildings, in fact it’s the only way to improve a lot of them. In the space of a few hours with a couple of hundred cans of paint I’m hoping we can transform a dark forgotten filth pit into an oasis of beautiful art”
The public will be able to play their part by adding to the exhibition with their own stencilling
The free event is open to the public from 10am on Saturday until 10pm on Monday
The public are being encouraged to bring their own stencils and wear clothing they don’t mind being damaged
Banksy’s pieces include a classical-style statues with a twist - one named David In Flak Jacket and another called Homeless Venus. Another statue is named Brew Period and is painted in camouflage colours and holding a can of Special Brew
The Cans Festival takes place in Leake Street, near Waterloo Station. For more information see
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