From January 5th  Auckland’s Aotea Centre will be home to 80  original pieces by one of the most intriguing and talked-about street artists in modern history. The exhibition, curated by the artist’s former manager Steve Lazarides, displays the largest collection of Banksy’s works, including the famous painting of the girl with the red balloon, known as “Girl and Balloon” and the controversial work “Laugh Now”. All of the works are privately owned by collectors who have agreed to show their works as part of the prestigious exhibition.

New Zealanders will be offered a rare glimpse into the world of Banksy who refrains from revealing his identity and does not appear in public. He is known as a painter, graffiti artist and social activist, considered one of the world’s top political graffiti artists. Banksy’s satirical art and his subversive messages, which integrate cynical dark humor, are done using his unique stencil technique. His various works, which aside from paintings also include sculptures and special displays, have been displayed on city walls, bridges and streets throughout the world.