From June 7 to November 9, 2025, the PALP, Palazzo Pretorio in Pontedera, opens its doors to BANKSY & FRIENDS. Stories of Rebellious Artists.
Over 70 works illustrate art as an act of rebellion, expressed in various forms across the contemporary art scene—from political protest to challenges against the art market, from occupying public spaces to breaking away from traditional exhibition formats. This journey spans irreverent languages and unconventional visions, with Banksy and other leading contemporary artists questioning the present.
The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the role of art today—its power to narrate, provoke, and denounce.
The works, among the most iconic and thought-provoking on the international art scene, compose a visual narrative that cuts across styles and techniques, united by a rebellious spirit and a deep desire to break with the traditional codes of art.
At the heart of the exhibition is Banksy, an enigmatic figure and universal symbol of street art and visual protest. Around him orbits a constellation of artists, each with a unique voice and fresh perspective: from TvBoy to Mario Schifano, from Andy Warhol to Damien Hirst, from David LaChapelle to Mr. Brainwash, Obey, Takashi Murakami, Liu Bolin, Kaws, Angelo Accardi, Donald Baechler, Sara Pope, Odinakachi Okoroafor, Adam Handler, Giuseppe Veneziano, and Patrizia Casagranda, as well as names like Petrucci, Likissas, Lo Giudice, Pau, Mapo, and many others.
Adding further depth to the project is a strong presence of artists connected to the local territory and the contemporary Italian art scene, including Francesco Barbieri, Nico Löpez Bruchi, Cristina Gardumi, Enrico Pantani, Valentina Restivo, and Aleandro Roncarà.
Their works engage in dialogue with those of major international artists, contributing to a collective narrative that is both local and global.
The core of the works on display comes from the private collection of the Pop House Gallery, a key player in the contemporary art world.
Curated by Piernicola Maria Di Iorio, the exhibition takes the form of a collective narrative—a collection of “counter-current” stories that speak of life and death, social injustice, conflict, and identity, told in tones ranging from lyrical to satirical, from intimate to overtly political. This is not just an exhibition that shows, but one that challenges, questions, and moves.
These artists, many of whom emerged on the margins of the official art system, have developed a language that is accessible and immediate, capable of speaking directly to the viewer. Today, their works receive significant attention from the public, collectors, and institutions—proof that art, when it succeeds in narrating the complexity of the present, can break down barriers and become a shared cultural heritage.
BANKSY & FRIENDS. Stories of Rebellious Artists is more than an exhibition—it is an invitation to look at the world with new eyes, through the art of those who chose not to remain silent.
With the patronage of the Tuscany Region, the exhibition is promoted by the Municipality of Pontedera, the Fondazione per la Cultura Pontedera, the PALP Palazzo Pretorio of Pontedera, and the Fondazione Fabbrica Europa for Contemporary Arts. It is produced and organized by Piuma in collaboration with Arthemisia, Pop House Gallery, and Trium Art Gallery.
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last admission at 6:00 PM)
Closed on Mondays
July
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (last admission at 10:00 PM)
Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last admission at 6:00 PM)
August
August 4–10: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (last admission at 10:00 PM)
August 11–17: closed
August 18–24: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (last admission at 10:00 PM)
Tickets
Full: €12.00
Reduced: €10.00 (students of all levels with valid ID, Coop members)
Children’s reduced ticket: €5.00 (ages 6–10)
Family Ticket
€10.00 reduced ticket for parent(s)/guardian(s) + €5.00 children’s ticket (ages 6–10)
Discounts are not cumulative.
Special Reduced
€8.00 for residents of Pontedera (only on Tuesdays, with valid ID)
Free Admission
Children under 6 years old
One companion for disabled visitors;
Journalists with a valid National Press Association card (professional, trainee, or publicist), upon request for accreditation by the editorial office via email: press@arthemisia.it
Pre-sale Fee
€1.50 per person
Tickets can also be purchased online at ticket.it
