Arte Urbano. De los orígenes a Banksy
The Fundación Canal, as part of its programme dedicated to Art and Environment, presents Arte urbano. De los orígenes a Banksy, an exhibition that traces the evolution of urban art, from its beginnings to its establishment as a fully recognised form of artistic expression today.
Curated by Patrizia Cattaneo Moresi especially for the Fundación Canal, the exhibition offers a broad and nuanced reinterpretation, understanding these artistic practices not merely as a stylistic development, but as a cultural, social and political phenomenon that has transformed the way we perceive public space and conceive art in the contemporary world.
The exhibition features more than 60 works by some of the most influential and acclaimed artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Crash, Seen, Blek le Rat, Miss.Tic, Invader, OBEY, JR, Os Gêmeos, Vhils, SUSO33 and El Xupet Negre, with special attention devoted to the legendary Banksy. A varied selection spanning different eras, techniques, media and materials.
The exhibition unfolds through historical stages that mark key formal transformations. From the earliest practices of self-affirmation linked to the simple act of writing one’s own name, to the progressive sophistication of languages, techniques and messages that have allowed urban art to occupy a central position within contemporary art. Rather than presenting a linear process, the exhibition creates a map of connections, influences and shifts that testify to the richness, aesthetic quality and diversity of the phenomenon.
Alongside these five initial sections, the exhibition includes a case study: a monographic section devoted to the paradigmatic figure of Banksy, a key artist for understanding the media and symbolic dimension of art in the 21st century.
As a final section, the exhibition offers an open reflection on the boundaries between urban art and mere vandalism, inviting visitors to consider: what distinguishes an act of vandalism from a work of art? Is aesthetic quality enough to legitimise a work, or is its value determined by its historical and social context? Can this type of art become institutionalised without losing its critical and transformative power?
“The value of this exhibition lies in its historical narrative: a journey through the evolution of urban art, bringing together key figures such as Seen, Blek le Rat and Banksy. Each of them represents a crucial stage in a constantly evolving movement, one that engages with public space and society with strength, immediacy and depth,” says Patrizia Cattaneo Moresi regarding the exhibition.
From 3 February to 26 July 2026
Fundación Canal
Sala Mateo Inurria 2 – Madrid
Exhibition organised in collaboration with
Visit the website