Getting Banksy'ed

Banksy, the man of the hour; is an anonymous street-artist who has been leaving his imprints thorughout the UK since the 1990s. He's also a political activist and a film director. The only catch is, nobody has known him, ever. In 2010, he was named Time magazine's 100 most influencial people, along with Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, etc; and for his headshot he provided a his photo with a bag over his head.

"Commercial success is a mark of failure for a graffiti artist. We’re not supposed to be embraced in that way." Banksy

Banksy has gained his notoritety through a range of urban interventions, from modifying street signs and printing his own currency to illegally hanging his own works in institutions such as the Louvre and the Museum of Modern Art. Most often using spray paint and stencils, Banksy has crafted a signature, immediately identifiable graphic style, and a recurring cast of cops, soldiers, and children, through which he critically examines contemporary issues of consumerism, political authority, terrorism, and the status of art and its display.

Banksy has gained his notoriety through a range of urban interventions, from modifying street signs and printing his own currency to illegally hanging his own works in institutions such as the Louvre and the Museum of Modern Art. Most often using spray paint and stencils, Banksy has crafted a signature, immediately identifiable graphic style, and a recurring cast of cops, soldiers, and children, through which he critically examines contemporary issues of consumerism, political authority, terrorism, and the status of art and its display.

Here's 5 of his breathtaking works:

5. CND

CND (2005) is Banksy’s statement on vwar violence. It amazes me that Banksy’s work doesnt just conform to one era, the meaning and value remains the same nomater when you try to pick it up and dissect it. Look at this in light of Remembrance Day.

It is said that CND first appeared outside the Houses of Parliament during an anti-war protest led by Brian Haw, an English peace campaingner who lived for a decade in the Westminister peace camp. At the time UK’s involvement in the 2003 Iraq war had been brought to light, and the fact that millions of people, including soldiers, protested against the invasion was reportedly ignored. 

What role does the army truly play in keeping the peace? 

4. Welcome Mat 

Soup Cans (2007) is a classic pop-art modern graffiti situation staple to Banksy’s style. Soup Cans, Rats, Political figures are Banksy’s favourite. The fact that I have to capitalize S, R, and P, says heaps in itself. If you tell me you haven’t seen at least one local ripoff Soup Can poster in some obscure art major/art history major’s dorm room, you’re lying. 

3. Grannies 

With Christmas around the corner, I feel weirdly drawn to Grannies (2006). It also emits the perfect Thanksgiving vibe; imagine your next door left-wing liberal trying to convince their grandma why saying certain things is racist, and believe you me, they agreed! It is 2020 folks, we are stepping our game up. Don’t know if it’s irony or not, but

“Punk’s not Dead”, “Thugs for Life”. 

2. Soup Cans 

Soup Cans (2007) is a classic pop-art modern graffiti situation staple to Banksy’s style. Soup Cans, Rats, Political figures are Banksy’s favourite. The fact that I have to capitalize S, R, and P, says heaps in itself. If you tell me you haven’t seen at least one local ripoff Soup Can poster in some obscure art major / art history major’s dorm room, you’re lying.  

1. Love is in the Bin 

Soup Cans (2007) is a classic pop-art modern graffiti situation staple to Banksy’s style. Soup Cans, Rats, Political figures are Banksy’s favourites. The fact that I have to capitalize S, R, and P, says heaps in itself. If you tell me you haven’t seen at least one local ripoff Soup Can poster in some obscure art major/art history major’s dorm room, you’re lying. lar Girl with Balloon was renamed Love is in the Bin in 2018, at Sotheby’s. It was set up to go off shredding the minute it was sold off in an auction. The painting was sold for a whopping CAD$1,611,659; and the minute the gavel hit to close the bidding, the same minute the painting was destroyed with a capital d. Even though it stopped halfway through, Banksy revealed that it was supposed to be cut into pieces through and through.

Banksy, the man of the hour; is an anonymous street artist who has been leaving his imprints throughout the UK since the 1990s. He's also a political activist and a film director. The only catch is, nobody has known him, ever. In 2010, he was named Time magazine's 100 most influential people, along with Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, etc; and for his headshot, he provided his photo with a bag over his head.

Information from: artsy.net, myartbooker.com, time.com, sothbeys.com.