The English Street Artist Banksy

“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.

His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti done in a distinctive stenciling technique. Such artistic works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.

In “Graffiti as Career and Ideology”, Lachmann states that organizations “tried to win their members recognition as serious artists by encouraging writers to produce graffiti-style works on canvas and various other media with a view toward their sale to art collectors” (246). Rather than stopping graffiti writers, they are being encouraged to keep producing graffiti-style works to sell. While they aren’t vandalizing anymore and they are producing art on canvas, it is unexpected to further support these “criminals” like the organizations are doing. Some graffiti is even so respected and praised that it is protected. The perfect example of this is that “The stencil work and street art of British artist Banksy, possibly the most well-known contemporary graffiti writer/street artist, has gained such value as a commodity that the work on some of his walls is now protected under the aegis of urban heritage” (McAuliffe and Iveson 139). How can graffiti and its writers be so frowned upon but so many people still praise

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, 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

Banksy is a UK man who lives in London, has a secret identity, faces a dangerous situation, and he has experienced and talented graphic artist. First, Banksy is a man who has a secret identity. For example, he does not want people to see his face or hear his voice even in the movie. Also, when he had his first US exhibition, he was not participating in the show. No one knows what he looks like if he marries or not if he has children or not, where he lives except Thierry.

Banksy’s projects always revolve around a key idea relating to the site and time specific political and socio-economic issues. Banksy is known for condensing complex global issues, not always at the attention of the general public, and putting his stance on the issue in very simplistic terms through his art. He gained a major following across the world of all ages and socio-economic beginnings. Another aspect that makes Banksy very likable to the communities is the fact that he wants his art to be public and available to everyone in all the parts of the world, instead of just a handful of high end galleries, museums, and private collector’s cellars. Moreover, the Banksy Effect was a central force to bring attention to street art, not vandalizing and meaningless to the majority graffiti, and put it on an international art arena. Bristol is not the only city in the world embracing the street artists. Miami, Baltimore, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Melbourne, and many more cities are progressively embracing street art rather than repelling it. Thus, in the next section I will turn to the discussion on the public policy in favor of Banksy and his fellow street artists, current possible legal avenues and briefly touch

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

As Henry David Thoreau states: “the world is but a canvas to our imagination” is pragmatic in the sense of what is defined as art. The mere act of shaping art onto the simplicity of paper is condoned while walls, streets, and bridges become the norm. A rugged description, yet so valid in this case. This principle is exemplified in the works of Banksy. Banksy is my chosen artist. His works are authentic, yet aesthetically defined in the most unusual places. His method of art is likewise fascinating – for he uses bold sardonic street art and dissident witticisms combined with graffiti performed in idiosyncratic stenciling techniques to portray various messages. As findthemag.com states, Banksy uses “broad, complex abstractions and reducing them into something palatable.” I agree with this statement. Also, the term Banksy is a pseudonym for his unique identity that remains quite unconfirmed. This is enthralling - an artist who refrains from claiming his own art? This idea might sound confounding to some, but it adds fervor to my fondness of his art.

Banksy, an influential artist who took on the world by leaving his mark among many cities around the world. “I give away thousands of paintings for free. I don’t think it’s possible to make art about world poverty and trouser all the cash.” (Banksy, The Story Behind Banksy). Banksy is one of the most effective authors to use the satirical technique. He has left his work on city streets across the globe for anyone and everyone to see. Mostly all of his pieces are juvenalian satire. Banksy grew up in a well supported family and started his career by doing graffiti in towns that were near his home. His first piece in was in Barton Hill, a district of Bristol in 1980. Banksy wanted his work to belong to the people. He created his work so that anyone could enjoy it. He left his mark in major countries and cities around the world, such as; Britian, America, Israel, Vienna, San Francisco, Barcelona, Paris and Detroit. Throughout his success he kept his identity unknown, he would appear to interviews with a paper bag over his head.

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,

Street artists use their art to take a political or social stance, which then gives it a deeper meaning. For example, in her article Shannon Doyne discusses Banksy, a New York street

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.

He is infamously known for his stencil graffiti regarding current events and political issues. Aside from stencil graffiti, Banksy is famously known for his street installations and sculptures such as the London Phone Booth and the Cinderella Crash site piece seen in Dismaland. (“Banksy” Stencil Revolution) Banksy, although a famous figure in the world of street art, has been wanted in many parts of the world regarding the destruction of public property and the act of vandalism. However, through the means of social media and public awareness several Banksy pieces have been preserved and protected by the government unlike other pieces of street art; this has caused uproar amongst the street art community as several pieces have been removed and or disregarded by the government and society as it did not fit the "Banksy" standards, this has caused disagreements amongst street artists causing "graffiti wars" and debates. A popular example would be the Banksy vs. Robbo Wars. (Preston, “Graffiti Wars”) However it can be said that through Banksy’s work that the world has gained a different perspective on street art and whether it is criminal or