The Street Artist Banksy

Art General

23.05.2021

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Banksy is the stage name or pseudonym for the British street artist. Its origin is known since it began to develop its work in Bristol. He started doing graffiti in the 1980s. He was born in 1974 in Gloucestershire, England. Very little personal data is known about Banksy. He has remained anonymous since his work is illegal, and he can be arrested for crimes.

Around Banksy’s figure, there is always a halo of mystery. In 2010, Banksy directed a documentary, for a few minutes he appears in it, but does not show his face. He usually wears a sweater with a cap to avoid showing off. This documentary called ¨Exit Through The Gift Shop¨ was nominated for the Oscars and Bafta Awards. This documentary was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, in Utah USA.

Banksy and His Identity

Due to his hidden identity, there are some hypotheses of who Banksy may really be. These hypotheses range from a graffiti artist to a member of an English music band. A study carried out by the Queen Mary University of London in 2016 sought to reveal the true identity of the street artist.

Unknown. 5 posibles identidades detrás de banksy. https://www.allcitycanvas.com/cinco-posibles-identidades-detras-banksy/

They used a program designed to discover the identity of terrorists. The places where Banksy usually appears were studied, and what nearby places there were, such as pubs, shops, etc. In this case, the study claims that the real Banksy is Robin Gunningham. Gunningham is a graffiti artist in Bristol, he’s Banksy’s age, and he was already one of the suspects in being this character. There has been no confirmation from Banksy of his true identity. Speculation and hypotheses will follow.

However, Banksy has a verified Instagram account. So somehow Instagram, had to have verified the identity of Banksy, to give him his blue mark. Banksy is also known to have charged for jobs, and this money has been transferred to accounts in his name. So, there really is a way to find out his identity.

But regardless of who Banksy really is, the fact that his identity is unknown creates a mystery around his figure. Consequently, his work is more valued, creates more curiosity in his fans and in the media. It seems that beyond what is legal there is another reason to remain anonymous. We will see what happens with this character.

Banksy and His Art

Banksy’s art is simple and uncomplicated. Stencils that are then painted with aerosols. Almost anyone could do this type of graffiti. Walls and places seem to be chosen carefully. The messages are usually political and critical of society. It takes well-known images from pop culture and adapts them to the message it wants to convey.

Banksy is said to be anti-establishment, as he uses public and open spaces without asking permission, and transmits messages that are critical of the system, racism, and world politics. Banksy’s works are usually reproduced later on paper and in all kinds of materials that are used for sale. Let’s see some of his most famous works.

Painting for Saints

Made in 2020, known as Game Changer. Donated to Southampton General Hospital in Southern England, United Kingdom. It was a tribute to all the health professionals who are the heroes in this battle against the pandemic caused by Covid-19. A child plays with a nurse who has the ability to fly. This work remains in the hospital, it has been reproduced on postcards, t-shirts, mugs, posters, etc.

Banksy Game Changer. 2020. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2o3A5JJ3O/?utm_medium=copy_link

Bomb Hugger

Graffiti made in 2003 by Banksy. It shows a girl hugging a bomb. Made in Germany, this work is a critique of war and the innocents left in the middle. This simple work was auctioned at Sotheby’s for £ 31,200.

Bomb Hugger. Banksy. 2015. http://www.blogs.buprojects.uk/2015-2016/rachelrichardson/2015/11/22/bomb-hugger-by-banksy/

Plato Quote

Made in New York in 2013. It is a mockery of the popular custom of placing a phrase of any thinker or famous person and believing that it is always a deep phrase, and with transcendental meaning.

Banksy. 2013. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/fNpQfrK-yl/?utm_medium=copy_link

The Girl and Balloon

Banksy. The Girl and Balloon. 2002. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDMo26h3Cu/?utm_medium=copy_link

This is one of the most famous graffiti of the artist. It has also been versioned with the golden globe. This work has been used by companies, one of its versions for the elections in the United Kingdom generated much controversy. Created in 2002, it shows a girl letting go of a heart-shaped balloon.

Going, going, gone… Banksy. 2018. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bokt2sEhlsu/?utm_medium=copy_link

In 2018, the paper version of this work was auctioned at Sotheby’s for £ 1.04 million. Once sold, it began to self-destruct, with a hidden device within the framework of the work. It was half as can be seen in the photograph. Videos went viral on the networks. Everyone wondered how that terrible event could have happened. Once this happened, the artwork had doubled in price. Everything seemed calculated. What artwork can have a self-destructive device?

Banksy and Animals

Banksy has done many artworks throughout his life. Most of them have generated controversy. He has painted several times about live animals. During 2003 in NY, he painted Andy Warhol’s face on a cow, a sheep lining with black and bronze stripes. In 2006, he painted an elephant with red and gold. This type of artwork with living beings can arouse criticism and alarm. It can be considered animal abuse instead of art.

Elephant in the room. Banksy. 2006. https://www.culturagenial.com/es/obras-banksy/

Banksy is an artist who claims to be anti-establishment, yet his works are frequently auctioned off at exorbitant prices. His products are marketed throughout the world. Makes works of art on live animals. Maybe it has entered the system, what do you think?