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Editorial / Banksy

Back to the Banksy Bunker

6 Sep 2022

Hang-Up takes a trip down memory lane… and into our famous basement space

The year: 2012. The place: Dalston’s Stoke Newington Road. Like much of the area at the time, the road was a mix of sharpened-up shop fronts and newly-minted bars alongside old school markets and local caffs. In the midst of it all, Hang-Up’s early days' gallery premises drew press attention and a curious art crowd with its legendary opening nights and pioneering exhibitions. But, from 2016, the biggest draw of all was down a few steps from the ground floor, in the dark cocoon of the basement: the Banksy Bunker.

The first and only space dedicated to permanently displaying Banksy’s work, our bunker tapped into the zeitgeist of a generation. Banksy subverted the art market, called out the big corporations that were taking over the high streets, and offered the chance to be part of something – a street art movement that felt relevant and exciting. Exhibiting some of the artist’s most famous works and rare artist's proofs, Hang-Up’s Banksy Bunker offered fans the chance to browse one of the country’s most exciting collections – and the largest collection of privately-owned Banksy prints open to the public for free viewing in the UK.

Take a glimpse back in time with our archive photographs from the space…

The original Banksy Bunker was – confusingly – upstairs, behind a metal door straight from a prison cell.

The original Banksy Bunker was – confusingly – upstairs, behind a metal door straight from a prison cell.

Behind it, a cornucopia of the best Banksy’s: from Girl With A Balloon to Pulp Fiction, via Christ with Shopping Bags.
Behind it, a cornucopia of the best Banksy’s: from Girl With A Balloon to Pulp Fiction, via Christ with Shopping Bags.

Behind it, a cornucopia of the best Banksy’s: from Girl With A Balloon to Pulp Fiction, via Christ with Shopping Bags.

As our collection grew, so did the space. The Banksy Bunker went downstairs…

The entrance to the Banksy Bunker in 81 Stoke Newington Road.

The entrance to the Banksy Bunker in 81 Stoke Newington Road.

The Royal corner raised a few eyebrows

The Royal corner raised a few eyebrows

The space doubled as a bar for the gallery’s busy opening nights and special events
The space doubled as a bar for the gallery’s busy opening nights and special events

The space doubled as a bar for the gallery’s busy opening nights and special events

Rats everywhere…

Rats everywhere…

Some of Banksy’s most iconic images adorned the walls

The rare 'Kate Moss (Black/White) AP' and 'Lenin on Skates' canvas.
The rare 'Kate Moss (Black/White) AP' and 'Lenin on Skates' canvas.

The rare 'Kate Moss (Black/White) AP' and 'Lenin on Skates' canvas.

People travelled from as far as the US and Asia to see the collection
People travelled from as far as the US and Asia to see the collection
People travelled from as far as the US and Asia to see the collection

People travelled from as far as the US and Asia to see the collection

For more information on buying or selling your Banksy through Hang-Up, please get in touch. See the Banksy works we currently have available...

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