We went to see Banksy’s exhibition in Trieste. My 10-year-old, my partner, and me. It’s an hour’s drive from our home, so we decided to make a Sunday trip to the coast.

My partner and I knew quite well his work, but we wanted to show it to our son who is now very much interested in street art.

Most of the works were reproductions and photos of Banksy’s former agent. There were a few originals. I don’t know how they came there, but I couldn’t help myself from thinking about who and how took a whole door or piece of wall to take away a Banksy from the streets where they belong. There were also a few pieces from the famous 2009 Bristol museum stunt.

The exhibition was quite comprehensive for a child, so my son did like it.

But.

This unauthorized exhibition is just a tourist magnet. We were all standing in line to buy a ticket as punks in Banksy’s work who stand in line to buy a Destroy Capitalism T-shirt. (and it didn’t feel cool.)

Besides, even my 10-year-old said (when we came to the end of the exhibition and exited it through the gift shop): “Wait, how is Banksy fighting consumerism and we are now in a Banksy shop?”

When we came back home, we read on Banksy’s website: “Members of the public should be aware there has been a recent spate of Banksy exhibitions none of which are consensual. They‘ve been organized entirely without the artist’s knowledge or involvement. Please treat them accordingly.”

Ok, Banksy, thanks, we did.

And the great ice cream at the famous Gelateria Zampolli helped us leak our wounds.