22 July 2023 , 11:08
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Banksy fans are convinced the elusive artist made a shock appearance at his Glasgow exhibition after a "video clue". Late-night visitors to the new show were greeted by the figure of the Grim Reaper, patrolling the city’s Royal Exchange Square on a remote-controlled dodgem.
All the time, Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees blared out on repeat. But some fans are convinced that the figure of death might have been the secretive artist himself.
One fan said: “Ab be willing to be actual cash that’s Banksy in that btw. This is a painting from his Dismayland fun park and the same thing happened at a New York exhibition.” Another said: “Could be Banksy visiting his own exhibition.”
The Grim Reaper was first spotted in Bristol and is one of Banksy’s most famous works.
Some fans have become convinced that the figure could have been Banksy himself (PA)It also featured in two previous exhibitions in New York in 2013 and at Dismaland in Weston-Super-Mare in 2015. Outside the Goma, the reaper did donuts and charged maniacally at passers-by as it caught the attention of onlookers.
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The elusive artist's first solo show in 14 years arrived in Glasgow under a shroud of secrecy last month. Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art for the first time showing stencils used by the street artist to create many of his works in his new exhibition Cut & Run.
Banksy, whose identity has never been revealed publicly, used stencils from many of his most famous artworks to create new versions for the exhibition.
This exhibition marks Banksy's first in a number of years and was shrouded in secrecy until its opening (PA)The artist said he took the show to Glasgow because his favourite work of art - the statue of the Duke of Wellington, which has a traffic cone on top of it - is situated just outside the gallery.
George and Jane Barbour were out in Glasgow when they decided to attend the show. George said the show was "hilariously funny, adding Banksy is "amazing, has a great sense of humour and said the Grim Reaper was "really funny".
Jane said: "It looked a lot of fun, I wish we could've got a shot! I think they could have sold tickets for that bit." Louise and Charlie were up visiting family when they decided to attend the show.
Charlie said they had hoped to attend Dismaland but unfortunately missed it. Louise said: "It's a one off - maybe it will tour. Hopefully it'll go down to tour the UK, but was brilliant."
She added the reaper was "hilarious, very clever!" Charlie said: "It's quite interesting the use of the scythe as the top bit with the sparkler."
John and Laura Brown found the show both "unbelievable and absolutely amazing". John added: "Even if you aren't interested in it, there's so much to see in it.
"I thought (the reaper) was quite cool, the truck with the animals on it was quite spooky!"
Laura said: "Absolutely incredible. The whole thing was incredible. Real sketches and just reading everything, getting more information on him as well - so cool!"
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Kayleigh and Tomash also visited the show, with Kayleigh saying it was a "very revealing" show that "humanises" Banksy.
On the reaper, she said: "That's what pulled me in tonight actually. I live round the corner and I was like, 'I dunno', I was too busy, and then I saw the sign outside saying it's going to be open for later, so that's why we came in. That drew us in for sure!"
When the show was launched, Banksy said: "I've kept these stencils hidden away for years, mindful they could be used as evidence in a charge of criminal damage.
"That moment seems to have passed, so now I'm exhibiting them in a gallery as works of art. I'm not sure which is the greater crime."
The exhibition has been hugely popular with day tickets selling out quickly, but art fans can still take a late-night trip or turn up on the day.
Nearby Max's Bar on Queen Street in Glasgow is serving free Irn-Bru margaritas to anyone holding a late night show ticket.
Tickets for Cut and Run are available via the show's website at Cut and Run.