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(Check out our complete guide to Banksy Art and Graffiti.)
(images via: Banksy.co.uk and Art of the State and Brighton Arts Blog) Say what you will about the legality and morality of graffiti; it is difficult to argue that it is not at times real art. The care and forethought that goes into some graffiti and street art is apparent. Banksy is an artist who has risen to a strangely anonymous brand of fame with his graffiti, most of which involves stenciling. But there are many sides to this elusive culture-jamming artist, and his drawings, which are seen by far fewer people, are just as provocative as his large outdoor pieces. Some of his earliest works are still debated while others have become collectors items sold at up to six-figure prices. 
(images via: InventorSpot and Onzin and Wooster Collective) Even if Banksy hung up his spray paint cans and stencils forever today, he would always be known first and foremost as a graffiti artist. When he began as a lad in Bristol, his creative artwork graced the sides of buildings near his home. Now Banksy originals can be seen on walls all around the world. One of his most famous pieces was of a nude man hanging by one hand from a window as a jealous husband scans the street and a guilty wife stands by. The artwork went up on a wall in Bristol near the City Council office. When the city asked the public whether the mural should stay or go, an overwhelming 97% said that they wanted to see it stay. The city agreed and the mural was not removed. 
(images via: Wikimedia and That Canadian Girl and BBC and Duncan Cumming) Because street art is usually considered a crime, artists have to work quickly. One of the best ways to do that is to use custom stencils. You do most of the work ahead of time by creating the stencils, then when you get to the site of your future art, you simply hold the stencils up and spray away. This is the style of art that’s most often associated with Banksy. Some of them are simple and probably went up very quickly. Others are quite complex and involve several layers and many colors. 
(image via: Eyeteeth) Never let it be said that the reclusive street artist doesn’t play well with others. In May of 2008, Banksy was involved with other street artists from around the world in The Cans Festival. The three-day art extravaganza saw artists flocking to an underpass on Leake Street in London, armed with stencils and spray cans and a desire to cover every available surface with art. (And this time, they had permission.) 
(image via: Banksy.co.uk) Banksy’s talent and his message extend from urban art into the more traditional paper-and-pencil territory, as well. Although it’s somewhat rare to find a Banksy drawing, the few available examples all convey his signature observant-but-not-preachy style of subversion. 
(image via: M1l35) The multi-talented artist has been keeping us entertained for a decade, but from a distance. Now that Banksy is gaining popularity all over the world, how will his art speak to his newly-formed fan base? And how will the artist handle his crumbling sense of anonymity? It seems unavoidable that his identity will eventually be revealed to the public (and some would say it already has). Until then, we can continue to search the city walls for that prized quarry: the original Banksy. Banksy Part 1: Who is the Infamous Street Artist Banksy?
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17 Comments
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
LOL, that was a very good and very informative article.
JT
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
The piece of kids ding ring-a-rosie around the A-bomb isn’t a Banksy piece, I can’t remember the guys name, but it was mentioned on Wooster Collective a while back.
I don’t think the Buddha piece is his either, but I can’t say 100%
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Great article!! I just became a fan of Banksy…!
Thanks a lot!
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I have been a fan of Banksy and an admirer of street graffiti that is actual art and not just street “tags”. Any form of actual art that has a point can be well done and appreciated by people that would not normally approve of it. Banksy’s piece that the town left up is proof of that. It would have been so easy to paint over and obliterate it but it is still there so others can appreciate the humor and style of art.
Maybe people are lightening up and beginning to appreciate simple art for what it is, and this is a good thing.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I dont give a damn if its good art or not.
The canvas does NOT belong to you.
You are a petty leech. Go buy your own canvas.
THEN you may call yourself ‘artist’.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 pm
This is awesome art. I look forward to the day when I encounter one of his pieces. Anyway who does GOD think he is? God? Get a life.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:14 am
I came across the Maid piece by Camden Market, as soon as I recognised it I feld like I was like walking by an art exhibit left in the most random place.
http://Roamerick.deviantart.co.....y-39190643
July 24th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Comments from someone who calls himself ‘God’.
Go back millions of years, prove you exist.
THEN you may call yourself ‘GOD’.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:52 am
i didnt read just looked at the pictures.human expressions can be done in many ways this is one,period.nobody asked for permission,becos they dont need to.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Definitly great art. Painting dirty concrete-walls with that should not be illegal ;)
July 27th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
If I owned a building, I’d be very happy if Banksy left some grafitti art on it. Given the results of that Bristol poll, I think that most people would be of the same mind. I’ve got his Wall & Piece book - definitely recommended if you like his work.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I’ve been lucky to see quite a bit of his London stuff first hand… and the Cans festival was amazing. Here are some pictures: http://www.newpresence.co.uk/photos/banksy/ and http://www.newpresence.co.uk/photos/cans_festival/
September 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I have been photographing graffiti whenever I get to travel. I started with East L.A.
for a cover with 3 different gangs represented with Father G. The art piece on the building in back was incredible of the statue of liberty in irony over the civil wars going on there with the gangs. I was hooked ever since. The Bansky forum of The Cans Festival is a true rush and onslaught of great, satirical, political, funny, stylish, crass and beautiful art. I’ve blown up pieces and I’m proud to have them in my collection.
Thank you Guerrilla Artists! K
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