Banksy
Famous, Anonymous street artist Banksy. Who is he?
Banksy is a British artist, graffiti master, painter, and activist. His messages usually symbolize that of anti-war, anti-capitalism, and anti-consumerism. He is considered the most popular street artist, however manages to keep his identity a secret from the public and mass media. In 2010, his name was in the list of the world's 100 most influential people.
At the birth of his career, whilst he was painting a train with his fellow street artists, police arrived at the scene. He was not able to make it to the car and had no choice but to hide under a dump truck with a leaking oil tank.
Laying there, thinking of a way to prevent such altercations with the authorities (getting caught), he came to the conclusion that he has to cut his painting time in half or even less if possible. As he crammed himself against the bottom of the truck, Banksy saw the stenciled serial number of the fuel tank. This gave him the realization of what he had to do. With the technique of prepared stencils, he was able to make bigger letters and designs in shorter periods of time.
Banksy has had many exhibitions around the world. His very first exhibition in London was in 2001, where he and other street artists came together in a tunnel near a pub. They were able to get all the artwork up in about 30 minutes, to later invite a total of about 500 spectators with an opening party.
Banksy’s outstanding and taboo ways of thinking are what lead him to his “methods” of presenting art. Being able to sneak some of his artwork into prestigious establishments. For example, more than once has he hung some of his artwork on the wall of major museums. These pieces include his fake prehistoric cave painting in the British Museum and an image of the Mona Lisa plastered with smiley-face in Louvre. He painted a series of images on the West Bank wall as well. His paintings, stencils, and art work (like "Stonehenge" made of portable toilets and the Vandalized Phone Box) are all exceptional masterpieces.
“Passionate” doesn’t begin to describe his career. We see this when he says, "I use whatever it takes. Sometimes that just means drawing a mustache on a girl's face on some billboard, sometimes that means sweating for days over an intricate drawing. Efficiency is the key."
A great way for people to see his art from all over the world is through his published books and works. These include, Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall (2001), Existencillism (2002), to more recent books such as You are an Acceptable Level of Threat.
One thing admired by all is his ability to bring urban, outsider art into the cultural mainstream and despite the international fame, remain anonymous.
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves." -Banksy
"The finely preserved example of primitive art dates from the Post-Catatonic era and is thought to depict early man venturing towards the out-of-town hunting grounds. The artist responsible is known to have created a substantial body of work across the South East of England under the moniker Banksymus Maximus but little else is known about him. Most art of this type has unfortunately not survived. The majority is destroyed by zealous municipal officials who fail to recognize the artistic merit and historical value of daubing on walls."
PRB 17752,2-2,1
"When you go to an art gallery you are simply a tourist looking at the trophy cabinet of a few millionaires."
– Banksy
Banksy is a British artist, graffiti master, painter, and activist. His messages usually symbolize that of anti-war, anti-capitalism, and anti-consumerism. He is considered the most popular street artist, however manages to keep his identity a secret from the public and mass media. In 2010, his name was in the list of the world's 100 most influential people.
At the birth of his career, whilst he was painting a train with his fellow street artists, police arrived at the scene. He was not able to make it to the car and had no choice but to hide under a dump truck with a leaking oil tank.
Laying there, thinking of a way to prevent such altercations with the authorities (getting caught), he came to the conclusion that he has to cut his painting time in half or even less if possible. As he crammed himself against the bottom of the truck, Banksy saw the stenciled serial number of the fuel tank. This gave him the realization of what he had to do. With the technique of prepared stencils, he was able to make bigger letters and designs in shorter periods of time.
Banksy has had many exhibitions around the world. His very first exhibition in London was in 2001, where he and other street artists came together in a tunnel near a pub. They were able to get all the artwork up in about 30 minutes, to later invite a total of about 500 spectators with an opening party.
Banksy’s outstanding and taboo ways of thinking are what lead him to his “methods” of presenting art. Being able to sneak some of his artwork into prestigious establishments. For example, more than once has he hung some of his artwork on the wall of major museums. These pieces include his fake prehistoric cave painting in the British Museum and an image of the Mona Lisa plastered with smiley-face in Louvre. He painted a series of images on the West Bank wall as well. His paintings, stencils, and art work (like "Stonehenge" made of portable toilets and the Vandalized Phone Box) are all exceptional masterpieces.
“Passionate” doesn’t begin to describe his career. We see this when he says, "I use whatever it takes. Sometimes that just means drawing a mustache on a girl's face on some billboard, sometimes that means sweating for days over an intricate drawing. Efficiency is the key."
A great way for people to see his art from all over the world is through his published books and works. These include, Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall (2001), Existencillism (2002), to more recent books such as You are an Acceptable Level of Threat.
One thing admired by all is his ability to bring urban, outsider art into the cultural mainstream and despite the international fame, remain anonymous.
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves." -Banksy
PRB 17752,2-2,1
One of the Images on the West Bank barrier.
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