Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Bloom World Academy’s (BWA) private art fair on May 30 saw the debut display of three original Banksy street art pieces — Running Coppers, Toxic Fuel, and Secured.
It made BWA the first school in the UAE to host original Banksy street art works, including the world premiere of ‘Secured’, one of the artist’s highly coveted pieces. The artworks, which were presented alongside student work at the school’s exclusive art fair, are owned and curated by Wonderwall Fine Arts.
Two of the pieces were unveiled globally at World Art Dubai earlier this year, while ‘Secured’ had never been exhibited in a gallery anywhere in the world. BWA is a Dubai-based authorised IB school. John Bell, Founding Principal of Bloom World Academy, said: “At BWA, we encourage students to explore, question and create.
This collaboration wasn’t just about viewing thought-provoking art — it was about dialogue, reflection, critical thinking and giving our students and their families a front-row seat to culture that challenges and inspires.”
Kimberly McMahon, CEO at Wonderwall Fine Arts said that “we’re proud to collaborate with Bloom World Academy on this special showcase — they’re a school that genuinely values early exposure to meaningful art and ideas. Our goal wasn’t just to display original Banksy street artworks, but to place them where they could spark imagination and conversation. Giving young people access to work that’s bold, witty and thought-provoking felt like the right way to make art matter — and perhaps even plant the seed for the next great Banksy.”
Featuring a range of student artwork and design projects from across grade levels, the one-day art fair emphasised the power of creativity in holistic education. It was an opportunity for students to exhibit their work alongside one-of-a-kind street pieces by a globally renowned artist. BWA is an International Baccalaureate World School for students aged 18 months to 18 years old. It embeds the arts into its educational ethos and has collaborated with institutions like Jameel Arts Centre. BWA is the first own-brand school of leading school provider in the UAE, Bloom Education.
Secured by Banksy.
Bloom Education owns brand schools and nurseries, and operates UAE Charter Schools and New Generation Schools. It is a pioneer in the Middle East education sector for nearly a decade and half and has introduced leading American, English and International Baccalaureate curriculum education brands in the UAE, with a total roster of over 20,000 students.
Partnering international school brand Brighton College, Bloom Education has been selected by Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) to operate the Abu Dhabi Charter Schools programme. Bloom Education has also been chosen by Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE) to operate schools in the Northern Emirates, as part of the ‘Ajyal’ (new ‘generation’) school initiative. Kimberly McMahon responds to Gulf Today’s questions regarding the art fair
Why did you choose a school for the Banksy exhibition?
Bloom World Academy is not just a school; it is an innovative incubator that strives to stimulate and educate young minds. If we could inspire just one child during our exhibition, who knows, we may bring about the next Banksy!
What attracts you to Banksy?
His subversive wit and willingness to look at the world afresh with playful authenticity, whilst never shying away from global issues. There is also beauty and complexity in something so simple. A lot of Banksy’s work are simple designs and stencil based — yet they invoke such deep thought. Added to this, the nature of the street art and where the art is curated, offers another layer of beauty. Given some of the street art pieces are over 20 years old, the mediums in which these pieces were created deliver a visceral response.
Bloom World Academy premises.
What are the backstories of Running Coppers, Toxic Fuel and Secured?
Banksy’s works often mimic municipal signage in each of these three works. Is he simply poking fun at authority or is there a deeper message at play? Each of the pieces challenge traditional authoritative figures (police, parents, security guards) in a humourous way, insinuating their authority is nothing more than a mirage presented by flawed humans.
What is the mandate of Wonderwall Fine Arts?
Wonderwall is a response to a passion formed over two decades, and an intrinsic desire to honour the pieces within a stewardship. Wonderwall operates under three pillars – i) Preserve the irreplaceable — rescue, restore, immortalise. ii) Showcase the legacy — Through global exhibitions and galleries. iii) Curate history — Through our limited edition art offerings, ensuring the pieces and their meaning survive through avid collectors and admirers.
What were your takeaways from World Art Dubai?
It was both liberating and inspiring to see the reaction of the very few people who have ever had the opportunity to see a Banksy street artpiece in person! The excitement and anticipation visitors had when discovering the brand’s offering, only further inspires us to deliver on our objectives.
What is Dubai’s place among the great world capitals of art?
Although late to the party, it is clear that Dubai has a voracious appetite for contemporary art and has both the energy and enthusiasm to become a global leader!
What do Dubai and Banksy have in common?
Both Banksy’s art and Dubai’s culture are young and unencumbered with historical baggage … neither are restrained by rules and both are motivated to look forward, not backward. Dubai and Banksy also challenge societal norms, looking to develop and be at the forefront of contemporary thinking.
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