BANKSY may have chosen Weston-super-Mare’s Tropicana as the venue for his biggest show to date, but he is also using Dismaland to showcase the work of more than 50 artists from around the world. Here is our list of 10 artists you should check out while you are there...
1. Barry Reigate
Barry Reigate works on a huge scale, amusing and disgusting with his work all at the same time.
His colourful, cartoon characters are eye-catching and capture your attention.
2. Sami Musa
The Palestinian artist worked with activist Mohammed Khatib to make miniature versions of Israeli symbols of occupation: barbed wire, walls, rifles, security cameras and tear gas.
The exhibition they put together was called Chic-Art-Resistance which travelled the West Bank. Two of its pieces are exhibited at Dismaland.
3. Neta Harari Navon
Neta Harari Navon was born in 1970 in Israel. After completing compulsory military service she studied Theatre and Set Design at the Bezalel Academy.
Neta Harari Navon said: “My evacuation paintings are based on press photographs from the evacuation of Amona; an Isralei settlement in the West Bank, located at the end of a road between Jerusalem and Ramallah, in 2006.”
4. Ronit Baranga
Ronit Baranga is a ceramicist from Israel. Her life-like additions to ceramics are eye-catching and stomach-churning in places.
She said: “It’s as if the beasts have been invited to feast but the plates are planning a feast of their own.”
5. Michael Beitz
The warped furniture designs put together by Michael Beitz may not fit in your living room, but they sure are fun to look at.
He used to work in a furniture shop but has since developed his skills to make twisted sofas, melted chairs and picnic tables which look more like rollercoasters than what you would see in your average park.
6. Wasted Rita
The 27-year-old Portugese artist shows off her dark humour and sarcasm in her work.
Her posters are put up around Dismaland and are filled with thought-provoking phrases such as ‘always be yourself, unless you want to have some friends, then always be someone else’.
7. Nettie Wakefield
The power of the pencil is show of in Nettie Wakefield’s work. Her detailed drawings of people from behind make an eye-catching portion of the exhibition,
In 2013 she was shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing prize.
8. Dr Gavin Grindon
Art historian Gavin Grindon has curated the Museum Of Cruel Objects which is proudly displayed within Dismaland. It is an exhibition of things which have been made to hurt us.
It examines the way design is used to force obedience on behalf of capitalism and the state and not just as a progressive force for humanity. Inside is a selection of weapons and hard-hitting pieces, no doubt designed to shock viewers.
9. Julie Burchill
A Punch and Julie show will be performed every day in Dismaland – showtimes will be available within the exhibition.
The show has been put together by Julie Burchill and examines cultures of violence and abuse, with references to Jimmy Saville and Fifty Shades Of Grey.
10. Maskull Lasere
The artist was born in Canada but grew up in South Africa. His work brings out the horror in every day objects.
His pieces within Dismaland include a cross between a bear trap and a chair and a grand horse on a carousel pole, which is beautiful on one side but its insides exterior is torn away on the other.
Are you visiting Banksy’s Dismaland? Why not check our list of Weston-super-Mare’s top 10 restaurants once you have finished exploring...
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