The good folk of Bristol may have been wondering why the city’s museum and art gallery had been closed. Well eventually the truth was announced, on Friday June 12, that Bristol’s one time “vandal” was retuning as the conquering hero in a new summer exhibition.

To others the rumours had been circulating for the last couple of weeks. Speculation had been rife on the Banksy Forum with a space ready for members to post photos.

The unknown artist is thought to have originally hailed from Bristol because his graffiti was first noted here. How ironic then that the mysterious “urban guerrilla graffiti artist” should now have his works (which can command up to seven figures in auction) proudly displayed here, in the Museum and Art Gallery

Of the secrecy surrounding the exhibition, Banksy is quoted as saying: “I think we may have dragged them down to our level rather than being elevated to theirs.”

Museum director Kate Brindley said to the BBC: “We ran a bit of a risk, but we knew that it was just the right thing for the city.

“Equally there’s so many people in Bristol who just love Banksy, and internationally. He’s a megastar.

“We’re a gallery that wants to work with contemporary artists – he’s our home-grown hero.”

The Museum was kept shut to maintain Banksy’s anonymity, due to his involvement in setting up the exhibition. Apparently staff putting in place the exhibits were unaware of whom he was.

Banksy is famous for his stunts. Changing Paris Hilton’s CD artwork for his own on shop shelves and sneaking his own works into museums around the world ( Banksy Punked Paris Hilton: Cunning Stunts ); he painted the dividing wall in Bethlehem (Banksy in Bethlehem: Art and the Barrier Between Two Nations  ) and houses and the levee to mark the third anniversary of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (Banksy Storms New Orleans: Banksy Vs. the Grey Ghost ).

The show comprises around 100 items on display. Some of them have been seen before such as his animatronic pet shop pieces, like the chick nuggets. (Urban Graffiti Artist Banksy Opens a Pet Shop)

Or his “altered” artwork (Banksy: How to Make Millions with Spraycan and Stencil)

Also included in the exhibition is a burned out ice cream van.

“This show is my vision of the future, to which many people will say: ‘You should have gone to Specsavers (the opticians)’” said Banksy

Some of the exhibits:

For an end of show review:

Banksy at The Bristol Museum: This is a Queuing Opportunity

Also by C. Jordan: Amazing Art

• The Amazing Epic 3D Street Art of Edgar Mueller
• The Amazing Hand Art of Guido Daniele
• Amazing Art: The Dynamic Driftwood Horse Sculptures of Heather Jansch