Banksy is the pseudonym for an artist from the United
Kingdom, made famous through his various films, paintings, and graffiti
artwork. His graffiti, often displayed in public areas like bridges, city
walls, and streets, exhibit themes of dark political and social humor. Most of
his work is created using a stenciling technique, and various groups and
governments have labeled his work as vandalism. Although many authors and
journalists have speculated, Banksy’s true identity has not been revealed to
the public, despite his many films, books, and art exhibits.
Artwork
Banksy’s graffiti artwork is distinctive due to its stenciled style. His artwork is part of the Bristol, United Kingdom, underground scene (1990s-present), a collaboration between artists and musicians involving graffiti art and bass-heavy music, like that of the band Massive Attack. Banksy has stated that he was influenced in part by a member of Massive Attack who had been a graffiti artist. Banksy reportedly began to use stencils to create his graffiti because initially he was too slow to finish his paintings before he was caught. He has also created representations of classic paintings, like Monet’s Water Lily Pond, including garbage into the work. Banksy does not sell his graffiti artwork; however, removal and sale of the art has occurred on several occasions by auctioneers.
Banksy’s graffiti artwork is distinctive due to its stenciled style. His artwork is part of the Bristol, United Kingdom, underground scene (1990s-present), a collaboration between artists and musicians involving graffiti art and bass-heavy music, like that of the band Massive Attack. Banksy has stated that he was influenced in part by a member of Massive Attack who had been a graffiti artist. Banksy reportedly began to use stencils to create his graffiti because initially he was too slow to finish his paintings before he was caught. He has also created representations of classic paintings, like Monet’s Water Lily Pond, including garbage into the work. Banksy does not sell his graffiti artwork; however, removal and sale of the art has occurred on several occasions by auctioneers.
Films
Banksy’s artwork has been featured in two films, including the documentary The Antics Roadshow (2011), and the action film Children of Men (2006). He directed his own film, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which debuted in 2010 at the Sundance Film Festival.
Banksy’s artwork has been featured in two films, including the documentary The Antics Roadshow (2011), and the action film Children of Men (2006). He directed his own film, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which debuted in 2010 at the Sundance Film Festival.
Activism
Most often, Banksy’s stencil art features darkly humorous images of social activism. The characters in his art range from police officers, children, and soldiers, to rats and apes. Banksy routinely speaks out symbolically against capitalism, fascism, authority, and war. Through his art, he criticizes greed and poverty.
Most often, Banksy’s stencil art features darkly humorous images of social activism. The characters in his art range from police officers, children, and soldiers, to rats and apes. Banksy routinely speaks out symbolically against capitalism, fascism, authority, and war. Through his art, he criticizes greed and poverty.
Identity
Many have speculated as to the true identity of Banksy. He has so far succeeded in maintaining his anonymity by using his handling service, Pest Control (see Useful Web Sites tab above). One biographer suggested Banksy was born in Bristol, England, in 1974 to a photocopier technician. He later trained as a butcher and began his graffiti art after the aerosol boom in the 1980s in the United Kingdom. The warehouse owner Joel Unangst said in an interview with The Huffington Post that photographs of Banksy were released by The Daily Mail in 2008. Unangst had allowed Banksy to use his warehouse but had since had a falling out with the graffiti artist. See the purported photographs of Banksy here.
Many have speculated as to the true identity of Banksy. He has so far succeeded in maintaining his anonymity by using his handling service, Pest Control (see Useful Web Sites tab above). One biographer suggested Banksy was born in Bristol, England, in 1974 to a photocopier technician. He later trained as a butcher and began his graffiti art after the aerosol boom in the 1980s in the United Kingdom. The warehouse owner Joel Unangst said in an interview with The Huffington Post that photographs of Banksy were released by The Daily Mail in 2008. Unangst had allowed Banksy to use his warehouse but had since had a falling out with the graffiti artist. See the purported photographs of Banksy here.