Glasgow: Banksy fans queue for hours as exhibition opens to public

Banksy fans from near and far queued for hours on Sunday morning outside Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) to be among the first members of the public to see the elusive artist’s major new exhibition.

‘Cut & Run’, which has been officially authorised by Banksy, runs at the city centre gallery for three months until the end of August. 

Jamie Donaghy and friend Sasha Hampton, from Carluke, were first in line for walk-in tickets, having arrived at the GoMA at 4:30am. 

“We are really pleased. We didn’t think we’d make it in. We thought there would be sleeping bags and flasks and what have you,” Mr Donaghy told our sister title, The Herald.

“This is the first day so it felt special. Our first chance to attend a public exhibition of his work. It’s monumental. It’s a big day. 

Sasha Hampton and Jamie Donaghy (Image: Robert Perry)

“With your priorities in life, art has got to be a big one for me. And Banksy is the epitome of what art should be. It’s about change, it’s about challenge. It’s authentic. His priorities are right. He’s a great artist.”

Also in the queue to see the exhibition was Tanya Malott from Upstate New York, who is in Glasgow to see Elton John perform at the OVO Hydro.

She told The Herald: "I’m a huge fan. I remember the story of him selling his art in Central Park in 2013. It was a huge deal. I’ve seen his documentary and I love his work.

“I’ll see it twice maybe, if I really like it I’ll come back and see it again. I’m going to Edinburgh but I’ve cleared my schedule on Wednesday to come back here for the day.”

Likewise, Liverpool natives Alan Reed and Natasha Glassock also took advantage of a visit to Glasgow to see Elton John to take in Banksy’s new exhibition.

Alan Reed (Image: Robert Perry)

“We got up at 7am this morning to come here. After a late night last night”, Mr Reed said. 

Ms Glassock added: “It’s massive. I imagine Glasgow will get quite busy over the next week or so.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the stab-proof vest that Stormzy wore, because I was at Glastonbury that year. That’s the only thing I know that is in the show.”

Susan Aitken (Image: Robert Perry)

Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, was at the GoMA to witness punters pour in through the door at GoMA to see what is Banksy’s first solo exhibition in over a decade.

She said: “I was lucky enough to get a preview and I am really pleased and relieved to be able to genuinely say that I loved it. I was knocked out by it. It makes me more excited knowing what people are going to experience. 

“The fact Banksy chose Glasgow. It’s a great compliment to us. He’s the most famous artist in the world. He’s provocative. He’s always challenging. He always makes you think, and laugh. 

“I hadn’t realised quite how massive this was going to be in terms of the global interest and the fact people are travelling from all the world to see it.

"The interest in Banksy is that huge. It’s fantastic. And then, while they are here they can experience all that Glasgow has to offer. Come here for Banksy and discover Glasgow.”

Oban native Sophie Campbell, who lives and works in Glasgow as a textile designer, was also among the first members of the public to see the exhibition on Sunday morning. 

People queue for tickets for Banksy's new exhibition (Image: Robert Perry)

Speaking to The Herald moments after her visit, she said: “I thought it was so, so good. It was nice to see the actual stencils.

"It was nice to see the real thing as well. I think because there’s such mystery around him, to see an exhibition you kind of don’t know what to expect. 

“It’s a bit of a surprise and everyone loves that level of intrigue. You can’t help yourself. There’s a lot of thought-provoking stuff, it’s not just graffiti. There’s a lot of stories, not a narrative. 

“A lot of things nowadays are always down south. And the fact Banksy opened it here, at the GoMA, in front of the statue. It’s kind of iconic.

"You couldn’t miss it. Not if you are here anyway. I told my family in Oban that they need to come down and see it.”