Banksy’s Dismaland: Street artist launches first UK show in six years

Famous street artist Banksy has unveiled his first new UK show in years, at a derelict seafront lido in Weston-super-Mare.

Named Dismaland and billed as a ‘bemusement park’, the attraction will run for five weeks from August 22 and will feature work from artists Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer and Jimmy Cauty along with Banksy’s own.

It takes over the Tropicana outdoor pool and leisure facility which closed in 2000. Banksy said: "I loved the Tropicana as a kid, so getting to throw these doors open again is a real honour. I hope everyone from Weston will take the opportunity to once more stand in a puddle of murky water eating cold chips to the sound of crying children.”

The Dismaland website features the below site map and lists 18 attractions, including ‘Jeffrey Archer Memorial Fire Pit’, ‘Water Cannon Creek’, ‘Guerilla Island’ and ‘Mini Gulf’ along with three large galleries.

Admission is £3, or free for under 5s, but may be subject to long queues.

Nigel Ashton, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “We have been working closely with the organisers for months now, and for obvious reasons, have had to remain tight-lipped about the true nature of the event. In fact, only four people in the entire council knew what was really happening.”

It is the Bristolian artist’s first show in the UK since 2009's Banksy v Bristol Museum and looks set to be equally as popular.

Visit dismaland.co.uk for visiting information and tickets.

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