Banksy Art

Street artist Banksy (Born around 1974) is known for his contentious stenciled pieces. Not much is known about his identity, but many believe that he must have been born in Bristol, England. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s for his challenging stenciled pieces. He is the subject of “Exit Through the Gift Shop”, a 2010 documentary which examines the relationship between street art and commercial art. The artist began his career in the early 1990s as a graffiti artist. Although Banksy’s early work was largely freehand, he occasionally used stencils. One of his most celebrated pieces was the one which featured a live elephant painted with a pattern of Victorian wallpaper; this piece sparked controversy among animal rights activists. His work became more popular in and around London and Bristol as his signature style developed. His art has drawn much interest among art students and teachers alike. They are characterized by striking images, often combined with slogans. Banksy’s works of art show his sense of humor and creativity. In 2005, his work of art on the West Bank barrier, between Palestine and Israel, received significant media attention. He also produces framed Banksy art which are very popular with many collectors. He’s particularly known for his subversion of classic images and for his use of copyrighted material. His art usually take on political themes, satirically critiquing capitalism, war, greed and hypocrisy. Common subjects include policemen, apes, rats, children members of the royal family. Apart from his two-dimensional work, he’s also known for his installation artwork.