Graffit-Self Expression or Vandalism

“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.

Big name artists Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat both started out as graffiti artists. Haring kept his characteristic marker drawings in his rise to fame, while Basquiat went the modern art route, ignoring his beginnings. Both artists would end up selling their art for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Today, both graffiti and street art is used by ad companies, and as author Claudia Walde recognizes, “Ad agencies have long recognized the potential in harnessing authentic aspects of street culture to create cutting-edge campaigns…” (Walde, 6). Today, street art is also carried directly to consumers through the internet, particularly social media. With platforms like Instagram, and plenty of people looking for an artsy snap, pieces can be posted all over the internet, with very little involvement from the actual artist. It seems that no matter what the differing opinions are, people (particularly younger generations) subconsciously see the art for what it is. Street art’s attractiveness to young people ties back into the idea that street art is intriguing because of its spontaneity and apparent

The cutting edge of the public art development, connected with the hip-hop society of breakdancing and rap music, began with African-American and Latino teenagers in Philadelphia and New York in the late 1960s (MacDonald 1). At that time graffiti to most, was considered to be a form of art work. Regardless of those that thought of it as art, there were and are still numerous individuals that loathe the graffiti movement. Works of art have been dependably charming for ages, as it is a method for self-expression and inventiveness. Artistic expressions have advanced in many ways, such as public canvases offering an approach to modern day unique artwork. Graffiti is progressively turning into a hobby. Although one of the major controversies of graffiti surround the statement that it is not art and considered vandalism, graffiti allow artists to display grateful meanings, skills and expressions to the public.

The reason he is able to continue to release controversial art in highly populated, public places without consequences to his person solely because of his anonymity, and that his work represents itself enough without him. His work is criticized by many, but as it is an inanimate voice of opinion, Banksy is able to use it to his advantage, and plaster his opinion on current issues, wherever he can/wants.

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

“It may be called art, but I don’t like it,” (DuBois, 2015). Most of these artists who haven’t been recognized by galleries, risk themselves on a daily basis. This is their job, expressing their pain or happiness on a piece. Each time you pass a piece on a wall just ask yourself, “What could they be going through?” Art is expressed in so many ways. Graffiti is spread all over the world.

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

While his identity remains unknown, it is believed that he was born in Bristol, England in the mid-1970s. In the beginning of his career, he started doing graffiti in the early 90s and collaborated with other street artists. His artwork at the time consisted mostly of freehand, but starting in the late 90s, he predominantly used stencils as it was deemed more efficient. With this technique, his work became more well known around Bristol and London. In the late 2000’s, his work surfaced all over, even being on buildings in different parts of America, predominantly New York City. While some of his work seems to be humorous and satirical, they mostly relate to war and capitalism. His work often times are parodies of historical images, such as the piece being focused on in this analysis (“Banksy

One of the famous street artist of Europe is Bansky.Banksy was the first grafitti artist of UK to effectively straddle the difference between compelling artwork and roads. He at first achieved his notoriety on a progression of prominent public stunts, for example, introducing his own artistic creation into the Tate Museum. Banksy has turned into an overall wonder and the pioneer of the street art development.

There is a beauty in every art that is exposed and society appreciates the art that Banksy has given. When people think of street art they automatically assume it is just a mural or graffiti on an empty wall at a stranded building or community. Banksy art movement brought unity through the surrounding of people that enjoy looking at his artwork. Banksy brought a new twist to the meaning of street art. The art movement that happened in October 2013 in New York was unforgettable and people of New York were the city to experience it first-hand.

The importance of Public Art in communities stems from a place of creativity, voice and rebellion. All art is a form of communication whether it is street art or museum art. Artists make art to express and address their political views, mark the anniversary of something, tell a story, etc. Public art creates a sense of community in cities and towns because it reflects what the places believe in. Whether it is street art or museum art, most all humans admire what artists express because it is easily accessible and almost always demonstrates a story. Street artists such as “Blek Le Rat” and “Banksy” have used their talent to create urban art that reflects societal, political, and economic views along with a pinch of dark humour. These reflections

Banksy is the unidentified mysterious artist that for the last twenty years has been vandalising walls across the world with imagery that is known for its ability to capture an audience with a profound and methodical phase or statement. Banksy’s work aims to confront society with the issue faced in today’s culture and challenges the viewer to justify their action. Banksy produces artwork that forces an audiences to think and question themselves and the world they live in. Although Banksy’s true identity is unknown, his artistic style is easily found in his artwork alongside his signature.

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

As Banksy’s artwork spread throughout the world the prices of his paintings went up as well. A painting of a girl in an astronaut suite holding a yellow bird sold for $576,000. After this picture sold Banksy posted on his website a painting of an art auction with the words, “I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shit.” He calls the art world, “the biggest joke going ... a rest home for the over privileged, the pretentious, and the weak.” Banksy takes pride in telling people his opinion of their actions. His website post against people buying his paintings for a lot of money is a sign of just how much he dislikes the use of money in the world. I think this proves that the goal in creating his graffiti art is not to make a lot of money but to let his opinion be heard on all kinds of controversial topics. His strong opinions may also be because of his anonymous identity.

One of the most popular places where Banksy’s art fills the streets is New York City, which was