What a cheek! Moona Lisa becomes life-size in Bristol exhibition

Nick Walker’s famous piece of street art was produced in response to a challenge from fellow artist Banksy.
Vanguard exhibition director Mary McCarthy polishes the life-sized bronze artwork (PA)
PA Wire
Rod Minchin13 September 2021

A bronze version of an iconic piece of street art has gone on public display.

The sculpture sees Nick Walker’s painting of the Moona Lisa reimagined as a life-size figure.

Walker created the original painting in response to a challenge from fellow artist Banksy who said nothing more could be done with the Mona Lisa.

The life-size bronze artwork is based on the painting by street artist Nick Walker (Ben Birchall/PA)
PA Wire

To create the 3D piece, a rig comprising of 160 DSLR cameras was constructed which captured a 360 image of a live model dressed as the Moona Lisa.

From this image a digital model was created which was then used as the mould for the final bronze sculpture.

Weighing 260kg, it has been installed at M Shed in Bristol for its Vanguard: Bristol Street Art exhibition.

Emerging from the infamous early 1980s Bristol scene, Walker has become one of the biggest names in street art.

His story is captured in Vanguard’s extensive exhibition which delves into Bristol’s pioneering underground scene.

The Moona Lisa is on show until October 31.

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