BANKSY - A CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

 Street art is made were it is easily seen by the public, most commonly in streets, on building walls and sometimes in private property. It is sadly very often made and created illegally by artists who are then considered vandals. The most commonly used mediums for street art are stenciling  stickers and poster art. However, street art can also include wheat pasting, video projections, guerrilla art, as well as art intervention, street illustrations and flash mobbing.  There is no simple way of explaining the true meaning of street art. It is a style of expression which is constantly growing in urban environment. Some being humours or with a message, it is becoming a very popular and democratic type of art. It is unique in ways, because it is not limited to a small space in an art gallery, nor is it easy to posses, trade, own or collect by those how may find this art as something the wish to capture for their own use and benefit. 

 Banksy is a very well-known graffiti artist. He is from Bristol, UK, and his art work has appeared and spread through London as well as other locations across the entire world. Despite his major popularity, he manages to keep his true identity a secret from all public media. It was found however, that in many newspapers people have declared his real name to be Robin Banks. Banksy has never given the public to believe that he has called himself an artist, but many consider him to be a very talented graffiti artist whom gains much respect. He has his own original ways to deliver his street art, often with stenciling  Some of his art works are displayed on public surfaces such as walls and even building prop pieces to include in this artwork. He does not sell pictures of his art directly himself, but art auctioneers have tried selling his work on location and leaving its removal problem to the hands of the purchaser.

Controversial  Banksy, although respected and  admired by many, has always turned everyday things into something some people say is wrong, unjustified, or offensive. An article called Animals Sprayed by Graffiti Artist, found on BBC News website is one example which clearly shows us the controversy he caused. The article explains how a cow, obviously not Banksy’s, was drawn on by him. The inspector on the scene confirmed that no harm at all came to the cow, however, a woman did not approve with the idea of animals being used as a raw canvas for art. Some people considered this as animal cruelty. Whereas others may have seen this as funny, original, and as a unique way of delivering a message through art. A second example of controversy that Banksy created is when he made an image showing the words ‘Follow your dreams’ and replaced them with the word ‘Cancelled’ in bright red paint. This is documented in the newspaper article Banksy Makes His Mark Across America which says his work is ‘humorous’ yet ‘socially scathing’. Again, some may have seen this as clever and funny, but others may have considered this as unneeded vandalism with a failed point to it’s message. It opposes all optimism in life which may be why it turned a lot of heads in it’s direction and has so many people fighting to voice their opinions about it.

I think that many people who despair of the way graffiti vandals spray slogans on public transport and public buildings would be surprised to hear that it has now been elevated, by some, to an art form. However, I think it is important that everyone does their part to keep both public and private properties free of littering and illegal graffiti in order to help the city. If graffiti is made against the property owner’s will, this should be penalized exactly like vandalism. It is not in any way right for someone to ruin another’s property especially if the graffiti displays anything which may be found offensive. Otherwise, if the city doesn't have any bylaws related to design or architecture  of the properties, the owner of this particular property can have graffiti if they wish so. To eliminate illegal graffiti I would educate property owners, students, and the general public about the negative effects of illegal graffiti. Legal graffiti should be deserved to be admired and praised. It has now been made easy to look for places in which the local council has made it legal to spread the art of graffiti. One may also purchase materials or acquire scraps on which the can practice their graffiti techniques. This is a very good way to help those who love this way of expression to do so freely and not against the law. In this way, the art can also be further admired by those who pass by and it may also give a name for those artists who wish to disperse further into the artistic graffiti talents and passions.

References:

The Story Behind Banksy | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine. 2013. The Story Behind Banksy | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/The-Story-Behind-Banksy-187953941.html. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

The Spectacle of Bansky: Zero Interest in the Cancellation of Dreams. 2013.The Spectacle of Bansky: Zero Interest in the Cancellation of Dreams. [ONLINE] Available at: http://lolo741.blogspot.com/2012/12/zero-interest-in-cancellation-of-dreams.html. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

banksy-prints.com most interesting photos on FlickeFlu. 2013. banksy-prints.com most interesting photos on FlickeFlu. [ONLINE] Available at:http://flickeflu.com/photos/37259769@N06/interesting. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

Banksy Loses Bid for Oscar! | Artopia. 2013. Banksy Loses Bid for Oscar! | Artopia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.artsjournal.com/artopia/2011/02/banksy_loses_oscar_bid.html. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

Banksy Gallery - Optical Spy. 2013. Banksy Gallery - Optical Spy. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.opticalspy.com/banksy-gallery.html. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

Banksy the Shadow Revolutionary Artist. 2013. Banksy the Shadow Revolutionary Artist. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.socalevents.com/2012-04-24-15-29-05/political-events/106-banksy-the-shadow-revolutionary-artist.html. [Accessed 15 May 2013].