<p>An exhibition of work by British street artist Banksy opened on Thursday in Brussels with 17 original artworks brought together for the first time in Belgium.</p>.<p>Spanning 15 years of Banksy's career, the works on display are certified by Pest Control, the only authentication authority recognised by the artist. Banksy, who keeps his identity a secret, has not authorised the exhibition itself.</p>.<p>Led by gallery owner, Banksy collector and computer scientist Deodato Salafia, 51, the Deodato Art Gallery opened in November, days before Belgium went into another coronavirus lockdown.</p>.<p>The country is now facing new coronavirus measures with non-essential shops closed from Saturday. Museums and galleries remain open, however, and about 6,000 people are expected to visit the exhibition which runs until May 22.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/banksy-nhs-tribute-sells-for-record-20-million-at-auction-965539.html" target="_blank">Banksy NHS tribute sells for record $20 million at auction </a></strong></p>.<p>The starting price of the artwork on display is $50,000, Salafia said.</p>.<p>"It's not a matter of lockdown or not, it's a matter for the art galleries to understand that selling art and having people enjoy and buy art is no different than selling or buying shoes or other stuff," Salafia said.</p>.<p>Artworks on display include <em>Love Rat</em>, <em>Donuts Strawberry </em>and<em> The Flower Thrower</em>, a 2019 triptych screenprint on recycled cardboard. Made in 300 copies, it is the only one with the original frame.</p>.<p>Deodato, who started collecting Banksy five years ago, said finding a multiple-piece Banksy artwork was difficult because they are usually broken up.</p>.<p>"You need to be patient, it's not possible to buy all these pieces in one shot," Salafia said.</p>.<p>Banksy is known for his political or social-commentary graffiti that has popped up in cities around the world.</p>.<p>His painting of a boy playing with a toy nurse as a superhero, a tribute to health workers, sold for more than $20 million on Tuesday in London, a record for the Bristol-born artist.</p>.<p>"Everybody wants to see Banksy, perhaps because nobody knows him," Salafia said.</p>
<p>An exhibition of work by British street artist Banksy opened on Thursday in Brussels with 17 original artworks brought together for the first time in Belgium.</p>.<p>Spanning 15 years of Banksy's career, the works on display are certified by Pest Control, the only authentication authority recognised by the artist. Banksy, who keeps his identity a secret, has not authorised the exhibition itself.</p>.<p>Led by gallery owner, Banksy collector and computer scientist Deodato Salafia, 51, the Deodato Art Gallery opened in November, days before Belgium went into another coronavirus lockdown.</p>.<p>The country is now facing new coronavirus measures with non-essential shops closed from Saturday. Museums and galleries remain open, however, and about 6,000 people are expected to visit the exhibition which runs until May 22.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/banksy-nhs-tribute-sells-for-record-20-million-at-auction-965539.html" target="_blank">Banksy NHS tribute sells for record $20 million at auction </a></strong></p>.<p>The starting price of the artwork on display is $50,000, Salafia said.</p>.<p>"It's not a matter of lockdown or not, it's a matter for the art galleries to understand that selling art and having people enjoy and buy art is no different than selling or buying shoes or other stuff," Salafia said.</p>.<p>Artworks on display include <em>Love Rat</em>, <em>Donuts Strawberry </em>and<em> The Flower Thrower</em>, a 2019 triptych screenprint on recycled cardboard. Made in 300 copies, it is the only one with the original frame.</p>.<p>Deodato, who started collecting Banksy five years ago, said finding a multiple-piece Banksy artwork was difficult because they are usually broken up.</p>.<p>"You need to be patient, it's not possible to buy all these pieces in one shot," Salafia said.</p>.<p>Banksy is known for his political or social-commentary graffiti that has popped up in cities around the world.</p>.<p>His painting of a boy playing with a toy nurse as a superhero, a tribute to health workers, sold for more than $20 million on Tuesday in London, a record for the Bristol-born artist.</p>.<p>"Everybody wants to see Banksy, perhaps because nobody knows him," Salafia said.</p>