Banksy’s Grim Reaper Finds New Home at M Shed

Banksy’s famous painting of the Grim Reaper has found a new home at M Shed following a long-term loan by the Thekla owners, DHP Family.

From Wednesday 3 June, the Grim Reaper will be on display in the harbourside museum following the decision to remove it from the Thekla.

Banksy painted the Grim Reaper onto the ship and nightclub venue around 10 years ago but exposure to the elements was causing ongoing deterioration to the iconic artwork.

While the Thekla was in dry dock last August, DHP Family removed the Grim Reaper from just above the waterline on the ship’s steel hull and arranged to loan the valuable artwork to Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives on a long term basis.

George Akins of DHP Family said:

“We just wanted to preserve this piece of art before it deteriorated too much. By working with Bristol City Council we’ve been able to make sure that, although the Grim Reaper is being removed from its original setting, it can still be seen for free and in fact people will now have a better view.

After being cut from the Thekla, the painting was moved to the storage facilities of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives and assessed for conservation.

Ray Barnett, Head of Collections and Archives at Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives said:

“We are very pleased to work with DHP Family to preserve this work of art but also to enable M Shed to continue developing its displays to reflect contemporary, as well as historic life, in Bristol. The Thekla and its associated art has been an established part of the Bristol docks for a long time and many Bristolians will be able to relate to the image but also, by association, to the contribution the Thekla has made to the city’s night life.”

The conservation work was carried out by IFACS on Park Street who helped to investigate what had occurred to the work after being partially submerged in the harbour water. The piece was examined for rust and deposits and the spray-paint was tested so cleaning could be carried out without compromising the image.

For more information visit, bristolmuseums.org.uk or theklabristol.co.uk