Bristol has an unusually direct claim on Banksy: the anonymous artist, whose satirical stencil work has sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds and entered major collections worldwide, is widely confirmed to have grown up in the city. His earliest documented large mural — The Mild Mild West, painted in 1997 — still exists on Stokes Croft, and several other original works remain visible around Bristol, making the city one of the few places in the world where his output can be encountered in situ.
The Artist and the City
Banksy emerged from Bristol's graffiti scene in the 1990s. His first known large wall mural, The Mild Mild West (1997), was painted on Stokes Croft to cover advertising on a former solicitors' office. The image — a teddy bear throwing a petrol bomb at riot police — became an enduring local landmark. Banksy's connection to Bristol continued even as his international profile grew: in 2009, he staged the "Banksy versus Bristol Museum" exhibition at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, a significant moment for the city's cultural standing. A sculpture from that show — the Paint-Pot Angel — remains at the museum entrance.
Works Still Visible in Bristol
Several original Banksy pieces can still be found around the city, though street art is inherently impermanent and conditions change. According to VisitBristol, confirmed locations have included:
- Mild Mild West — Stokes Croft (painted 1997)
- Well Hung Lover (also known as Naked Man) — Park Street, on the side of a former sexual health clinic
- The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum — near Bristol Marina
- Grim Reaper — held at M Shed museum
- Works on Frogmore Street and Lower Lamb Street in the city centre
Visitors should check current status before making a journey specifically to see any individual piece, as outdoor works can be painted over, damaged or removed.
Beyond Banksy: Bristol's Wider Street Art Scene
Banksy's profile has helped establish Bristol as a recognised destination for street art more broadly. Stokes Croft remains a focal neighbourhood for murals and public art. Leonard Lane in the Old City developed as a graffiti hotspot through the work of the Bristol Mural Collective. Wapping Wharf and the Harbourside area also feature commissioned and informal public art. For those who want to engage actively with the scene, guided walking tours cover both street art and broader city history — the Blackbeard to Banksy tour, for example, covers two miles of the city over two hours. Graffiti sessions for participants are available through operators including Graft, sometimes held at The Island, a converted former police station.
Institutional Recognition
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery holds material from the 2009 Banksy exhibition, and M Shed — the city's museum of Bristol life on Wapping Wharf — holds the Grim Reaper piece. Both museums are accessible from the Harbourside area.
Sources: Banksy Street Art in Bristol - VisitBristol • Banksy - Wikipedia • Banksy and street art hotspots in Bristol - VisitBristol • Blackbeard to Banksy walking tour