Banksy

Peter Gibson, a spokesman for Keep Britain Tidy, asserts that Banksy's work is simple vandalism, and Diane Shakespeare, an official for the same organization, was quoted as saying: "We are concerned that Banksy's street art glorifies what is essentially vandalism." In his column for The Guardian, satirist Charlie Brooker wrote of Banksy "…his work looks dazzlingly clever to idiots."

“In contrast to government-commissioned public art, street art is illicit and subversive in nature. Therefore, most street artists, including Banksy, use pseudonyms to avoid legal prosecution for vandalism.”(Chung 27) Banksy’s street art does not focus on competing with rival artists, but focuses on engaging with a broader audience in a deeper level. He provokes his audience by deeply expressing out various social practices that helps viewers to reflect and confront certain aspects together as a community. (27) The underlying message of Banksy’s art can lead towards an active involvement of street art within the community.

Banksy is a very well known street artist and filmmaker who after years of having Thierry follow him around filming everything tells Thierry to make his own art. Thierry in returns does something even better he creates his on alter ego named Mr. Brainwash whose art is nothing more than copycat off of other famous art works but, with added color and a few different designs. Thierry then opens his own art expiate where he shows off and sells his artwork. This kicks off his career as an artist. But, upsets many other street artists who feel Thierry never really had to struggle like they

Artists try to portray their views of human ideas, cultures, and lifestyles through their art. Art is defined as “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.” Each artist has their own style due to the fact each person sees everything in their own way.

When Banksy is introduced in the film, he is wearing a black hoodie with the hood up to hide his face. There also is a voice filter over his voice so his identity remains anonymous. Viewers may think this is fake because they do not even know if the man is the real Banksy. Although this may be true, there is no one who knows Banksy’s true identity or name. The documentary was filmed on Thierry’s handheld camera.

Banksy, a street artist whose identity remains unknown is believed to have been born in Bristol, England, around 1974. He rose to prominence for his provocative stenciled pieces in the late 1990s. Banksy is the subject of a 2010 documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which examines the relationship between commercial and street art. Banksy's artwork is characterized by striking images, often combined with slogans. His work often engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed. Common subjects include rats, apes, policemen, members of the royal family, and children. In addition to his two-dimensional work, Banksy is known for his installation artwork. Other pieces have drawn attention for their edgy themes or the boldness of their execution. Banksy's worldwide fame has transformed his artwork from acts of vandalism to sought-after high art pieces. Banksy's identity remains unknown, despite intense speculation. The two names most often suggested are Robert Banks and Robin Gunningham. Pictures that surfaced of a man who was supposedly Banksy pointed toward Gunningham, an artist who was born in Bristol in 1973. Gunningham moved to London around 2000, a timeline that correlates with the progression of Banksy's

At one point in the film, street art became the rave and was being auctioned off in auction houses, but Banksy and other artists did not believe that the focus for their artwork was about the money; rather, it was the passion and expressional aspect of their art pieces. He believed that Thierry's video footage would be the perfect way to depict this passion, but a majority of the footage Thierry had was unusable. However, the usable footage that was used in the documentary was enough to demonstrate the true passion some street artists had. Many have different motives of creating their artwork as well. For example, Borf, creates street art in commemoration of his friend that passed away and even his alias is in memory of the friend who passed. Banksy’s purpose of creating art is often as a form to criticize social problems or just for humor at times. A very striking example of his artwork as a form to express social problems was when he went to the Gaza strip and created a trompe-l'oeil pieces of street art against the wall, which at the time was experiencing a vast amount of conflict and civil unrest. This was extremely dangerous, but Banksy managed to place it on the wall without any harm, which shows his dedication to his

He is an unidentified British man who creates political and social expressions through street art. The mysterious artist leaves his creations dark and humorous. In the film, Banksy and Guetta take a trip to Disney Land in California. Banksy decides to place a piece of his art work in an amusement ride. Banksy does not get caught but Guetta does.

The nature of Banksy’s work is iconoclastic in the way he blatantly designs images to rebel governmental authority or depict the failings of

Banksy or as said to be shortened for Robert Banks is the graffiti artist who will never be caught. His technique of stenciling makes it easier for him to get the job done fast and efficiently. Banksy states that being anonymous can be “crippling” and hard to do. In an anonymous email said to be from Banksy he states,

Banksy’s glum artwork portrays how many of us feel forced to give up our dreams. People never pursuing them due to financial burdens or other hardships. In Banksy’s picture the man seems very melancholy and low on income and the “cancelled” sign in bold letters knowing that he cannot complete his dreams. This may serve as a wake up call for those of us who’ve been asleep. This picture wants people to not give up on their dreams even if they are going through hard times because that’s what makes a dream, you have to go through bumps in the road to complete the dream. That is what life is about it won’t be an easy task to do but you have to pass it to complete your dreams. Ultimately, we should follow our dreams, regardless of outside discouragement

Censorship in terms of graffiti is the removal of unsanctioned writings or drawings on a wall or surface of a public place. Laws against graffiti pose a threat to the natural way street artists create, forcing them to find different channels to express their thoughts and words. Banksy, a British street artist who pushes the boundaries in the graffiti world, is known for his anti-authoritarian stencil work. As a graffiti artist, he already faces censorship given that his choice medium is considered a criminal act in Britain. Being caught for graffiti can lead up to ten years of imprisonment, a fine, or community service for young offenders. The combination of the illegal nature of graffiti and Banksy’s choice in controversial subject matters, such as racism, the “authority of political art institutions” and corporate institutions, have led to censorship of his street art by the people and the government (Mancoff “Banksy”). Although censorship is limiting because graffiti is seen as detrimental to society, it is an integral part of Banksy’s creative process. Censorship influenced him to create for and appeal to a larger audience through stencil work instead of traditional graffiti tagging and by making a website.

What makes him different from street artists is that he does not devote his work to one specific area. Banksy went from traditional street art painting on walls to spray painting into vehicles. During his art movement in New York he sprayed painted an extravagant art piece that tied to political spectrum, the Horses in Night-Vision Goggles and the soundtrack to go with it made it so realistic. He did a very good job with the color tone that went with the spray painting. He wanted to make it realistic by including the soundtrack in the background; this caused a big crowd of New Yorkers at the location. All in all the art movement done in New York brought people together. People who were appreciative of his art and to collaborate to one another about his work were special. You had to be at the different locations to see the art in person to see the impact it has. Although, it brought people together it also cause some chaos. There were people that vandalized his artwork because they were so tired of his

Banksy is a very renowned street artist who keeps his identity unknown. His artwork is portrayed by “striking images, often combined with slogans, [which] engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed” (“Banksy Biography”). He first started his bold street art in Bristol, his hometown located in London, but quickly spread to the United States of America. In the U.S., Banksy targeted the most populated cities; this was due to the fact that it was easier for him to spread his messages. With a crowded location, his lessons will extent over an audience much quicker.

I believe there are two ways of looking at a situation; you can focus on the bad or choose to see the good. Street art is a topic that falls under one of those situations. Many people associate street art with gangs, vandalism, violence, and other controversial topics. Being realistic, it is understandable why society may have this opinion of street art, but it also serves many other significant purposes. Street art can be used as a medium to voice political and social opinions of a community, and also spread awareness. Banksy, an anonymous street artist, is one of the most controversial street artist in the world due to his intriguing and eloquent street art. He is known for crossing boundaries between art, philosophy, politics, sociology, humor and narcissism. His impactful art has appeared in America,Australia, Canada, England, France, Israel, Jamaica and Palestine. Many of Banksy’s pieces, such as Reverse Pat Down, Comment Heart Request, Irony, and Graffiti is a Crime have expressed and drawn attention to political and social issues