Banksy Graffiti Work - Essay Example

Banksy Graffiti Work Introduction Work of most street artists is anonymous and only known through their tagging pseudonyms.The work of the U.K. street artist Banksy Graffiti is different, since his work can be presently seen around the world. Previously most people claimed to know the true identity of Banksy, but none of them was definitive. People do not know the real name of Banksy, but his art is a work of a passionate person. Banksy works; stencils, paintings and other art pieces repeatedly address social issues. Banksy work often displays a sense of humor, making it possible that someone will laugh or cast one’s eye thoughtfully upon seeing a Banksy piece. Banksy’s Biography Although there was recognition of signature style and the pseudonym of Banksy, no one knew for sure about Banksy. However, some information regarding Banksy gained wide acceptance, for example, people accepted that Banksy is from Bristol, United Kingdom. Banksy graffiti started in early 1990s and began to gain widespread infamy around 2003. He was born in 1974 and sports a tooth of silver (Brian 1). Over the years, Banksy refused to reveal his real name or to be interviewed in person (Brian 2). Among the social issues Banksy addresses through his art are issues on capitalism, poverty, war, and governments. On several occasions, Banksy’s work can be associated with vandalism, and many individuals said that Banksy should be prosecuted (Jencks et.al 90). The talents of Banksy’s are not limited to paint and pencil drawing; he has been accountable for various social commentaries which involved replacing Paris Hilton CDs with his own created CDs. He has also sneaked his personal work into numerous art museums. Banksy opposes the organized art world, although he now creates some convectional work. Many people applaud Banksy’s work, but those who criticize him say that his work oversimplifies issues to appeal to the masses (Hatch and Hatch 56). Synopsis and Visual Description of Banksy Work Banksy artist work involves stenciling, painting, and drawing. Banksy started his creative artwork when he was a young boy at his home in Bristol, where he graced the walls of buildings near his home. Banksy original arts may be seen on walls of buildings around the world. Street art is in most cases considered a crime; therefore, street artists use stencils so that they can be able to work quickly. Banksy worked ahead by creating the stencils; then he went to the street and sprayed the stencils. Banksy’s talent and his message involve urban art and traditional paper-and pencil territory. Banksy was a butcher, and he started his graffiti work during the aerosol boom in Bristol in late 1980s (Jencks et.al 98). Banksy started his freehand graffiti work in 1992-1994 where he was one of Bristol’s DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ). His inspiration came from local artists, and he used stencils as components of his freehand pieces. He turned to stenciling in 2000, after he realized it took less time to complete a piece and he was hiding from the police. His stencils feature humorous and striking images occasionally combined with slogans (Hatch and Hatch 65). The messages of Banksy work are usually anti-capitalist, anti-war, or anti-establishment. Subjects include monkeys, rats, children, soldiers, policemen, and the elderly. In late 2000, he toured Melbourne and Sydney, Australia where he met recluse James DeWeaver and Gen-X pastellist, visual activist in Byron Bay. At the Arts Factory Lodge toilet, he stenciled a parachuting rat with other clothes pin on nose. He was behind the cover art of 2003 Blur’s Think Tank album. In July 2002, Banksy had his first show in Los Angeles at 33 1/3 Galleys. In Turf War show held in a warehouse in 2003, Banksy painted on animals. Later he started producing subverted painting; an example is Monet’s Water Lily Pond, modified to include urban detritus such as garbage and shopping trolley suspended in its reflective waters among other paintings. In 2005, these Banksy oil paintings got displayed at a show in Westbourne Grove, London. In August 2004, Banksy produced numerous of spoof British notes of ?10 replacing the image of the Queen’s head with the head of Princess Diana and altering the text Bank of England to Banksy of England. These spoof notes were given to people in social places, and they are also sold on eBay among other places (Gottlieb 35). In September 2006, Banksy held a show referred to as Barely Legal in Los Angeles. In the show, a live elephant in a room, painted with gold and pink floral wallpaper pattern featured. During the same year, sales of Banksy work increased, which led to analysis of Banksy effect on other street artists. In year 2007, Banksy’s art work was auctioned in various places, selling at high prices. Some of his graffiti works led to protests of the Transport of London, who claimed that Banksy graffiti created an atmosphere of social decay and neglect which in turn encouraged crime. In 2008, Banksy held various exhibitions including one where various street artists participated. Also, he produced arts which featured the events of the Hurricane Katrina, but some of his works were vandalized. Banksy have held various exhibitions featuring over one hundred works of art, and this work enabled him to gain popularity in the world of artists. Banksy’s Work in a Local Context Artistic work expresses various issues in the society which includes capitalism, immorality, war, adultery, culture, governments, and poverty among others. Despite the control of the street art work by authorities, the street artists still continue with their artwork (Gottlieb 23). The authorities need to encourage artwork and the street artists will start revealing their identities and their works. If street artists are motivated, they can make enormous earnings out of their works, therefore, leading to personal benefits and country benefits. Young artists get inspiration from the works of the others, whether it is street work or not. Banksy’s graffiti work has inspired many and is a source of humor to several people around the world. Conclusion Art involves talent and creativity any person who possess these two, will always find ways of letting the world know his/her message and talent. Street artists work under anonymity, and they aim to let the world know their talents and their message. Banksy anonymity led to curiosity of many especially the artists to know his real identity because of his fascinating graffiti work. Although authorities consider street work as crime, Banksy always found ways of displaying his creative work on the streets. Banksy have held various exhibitions of his art work where he has made massive sales. Banksy work inspires many who come across his graffiti work. Works Cited Brian, Sewell. Banksy Biography. London: Brian Sewell Art Directory, 2004. Print. Gottlieb, Lisa. Graffiti Art Styles: A Classification System and Theoretical Analysis. North Calorina: McFarland, 2008. Print. Hatch, Ben and Hatch, Dinah. Frommer’s Britain For Free. London: John Wiley &Sons, 2010. Print. Jencks, Griffiths, and Holland, Charles. Radical Post-Modernism: Architectural Design. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2011. Print. Read More