New gallery dedicated to Banksy opens in Antwerp to raise funds for Gaza, Ukraine and local projects

A gallery offering limited edition prints inspired by world-renowned street artist Banksy is now open for business in Antwerp’s Wilde Zee shopping district.

The collection includes stamps, art prints and miniatures produced by official Banksy partners such as The Walled Off Hotel in the West Bank, Ukrainian postal operator Ukrposhta and English-language national newspaper the Palestine Post. All proceeds go to social projects in Gaza, Ukraine and Antwerp.

The initiative, ‘Banksy 4 Humanity’, is led by Antwerp-based author and art specialist Marc Pairon. The works will be sold exclusively at the gallery.

For Pairon, the approach aims to make art more accessible while prioritising direct contact, advice and a relationship of trust with visitors. “Art can touch people, but it can also inspire them to take action,” he said. “With ‘Banksy 4 Humanity’, we want to turn this commitment into concrete support.”

The gallery builds on previous projects, notably at Antwerp’s Gallery 28 and at Grimbergen Abbey. These initiatives have according to Pairon already raised €350,000 for humanitarian causes.

To avoid large crowds, the gallery is introducing a locker system where a limited stock of pieces will be available each week. This enables the sales to be spread out over several months.

Banksy, a somewhat mythical figure, has never publicly confirmed his identity. Active since the 1990s in Bristol, UK, and also a political activist and film director, he is famous for satirical street art and subversive epigrams imbued with dark humour and created with distinctive stencilling.

Banksy’s works of political and social commentary, gracing streets, walls, and bridges throughout the world, include Girl with Balloon (pictured), Love is in the Bin and Show me the Monet. His art grew out of the Bristol underground scene, involving collaborations between artists and musicians.

Photo: ©Banksy image (illustration only)