The English street artist Banksy has produced various works of art, in a revolutionary style. Street art is visual and it is produced in public areas on buildings, bridges , concrete , and many other places. This form of art is usually done illegally, which adds to the immense controversy it already possesses, due to its subject matter. With that being said, it speaks volumes about artists such as Banksy, who risk criminal charges of vandalism, in order to empower others through his art. One of his popular pieces, “Looters”, historically commemorated the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, boldly criticizing government, media, racism and other significant issues. In 2005, the city became a war zone and many were left with questions; the image poetically raised awareness to aspects of post-Katrina recovery that are still being discussed till this day. For the short time it existed as an untampered image on Elysian Fields Avenue, it managed to create a lasting impression that will exist decades after its removal.
Due to Banksy 's pictorial and satirical messages which blend themes of Capitalism, politics, greed, and hypocrisy, an unknown identity is a great thing to have. In the early 1990s, Banksy began his distinguished career; the fact that his identity has been successfully hidden for two decades incorporates mystery into the art. He is undoubtedly the most controversial street artist to emerge on the global stage, Banksy 's work has been rumored to
In the film “Exit Through The Gift Shop” Thierry Guetta, a Los Angeles-based Frenchman decides he loves the idea of recording and starts recording everything he does, soon after this he falls in love with the idea of street art, first introduced to him by his cousin with the street name of Space Invader. Once Thierry ventures in the street art culture he comes across the anti authoritarian artist Banksy. Banksy lets Thierry film him paint street art but decides to turn the camera towards Thierry and gives him the advice to try street art himself. This makes for a great twist in the documentary, played out as a decision of the moment, however many audiences interpret the meaning of the film in different ways. Thierry's transition into a street artist demonstrates Banksy's attempt to mock the art world by documenting an un-experienced middle aged man transition from cameraman to seven figure street artist.
“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.
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
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.
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
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 is one of the most famous and mysterious street artists in the world. Helen Weaver, the art in an American magazine writer stated that,” Banksy was born in 1974 and was raised in the Bristol UK area. When he first started spray painting, he was ten years old.” “(1). Weaver Helen.” Banksy.” Art in America. Sep 18.2009. Web.11 Nov.2015. Banksy enjoyed the attention he received from the public. He loved using street art to express his inner feelings. He mostly uses graffiti to express his feelings. In the early years the authorities worked hard to remove his pictures from public places. They considered his art vandalism and destructive to the public. Vandalism is when someone deliberately destroys the public or private property, however, the public fought to save some of his pictures from authorities. Banksy is a very influential artist in his time. He was well respected and recognized by his fans all over the world.
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.
He is questioned why he was filming the scence. In order for Banksy to remain unidentified, he lies to the police. The chances street artists take to create their art shows true passion. In Los Angeles, Banksy provides an art show to show all of his creations. Many people and celebrities flocked to see this type of art and were fascinated.
Throughout the centuries, artists played important roles documenting the history, portraying the world in their particular, sometimes controversial view, without regard for their own well-being, without fear of retaliation for the beliefs, ideas and values. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the works of the graffiti artists around the world, bucking the system and pointing out the idiocies and hypocrisies surrounding them even in the face of prosecution. Above all, these artists show us the invisible truth which we cannot recognize ourselves. Before the Edward Snowden revelations, one of the best known graffiti artists around the world Banski, produced a piece of art, One Nation Under CCTV, painted on a side of the Royal Mail building in
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 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.