Banksy is a pseudonym for the British graffiti artist from Bristol. Some sources claim his real name is Robert Robden, others call him Robin Banks. He is also thought to be called Robert Gunningham and a former public school girl who went to school with Gunningham describes him as talented enough to be Banksy.
Whatever the case the only thing we know for sure is that he was born in Bristol about 1974. He is said to have trained as a butcher, becoming involved in the aerosol boom of the late 80s.
He is an artist and political activist, creator of satirical street art. He was involved in the Bristol Underground scene together with trip hop, drum and base musicians and other graffiti artists. The scene started in the early 1900s.
Banksy’s style is said to be similar to that of Parisian stenciller Blek Le Rat. Although Banksy began as a freehand artist he turned to stencilling in 2000 as it sped up the process and minimised his chances of getting caught.
His stencils include rats, policemen, soldiers, children, apes and the elderly. All of his artwork illustrates the human condition. A good example is the two male police officers kissing. Banksy is anti-establishment and anti-war. Many of his images portray disapproval of capitalism, greed and also alienation.
Exhibitions
Banksy has exhibited his work all over the globe. He has even entered Palestinian territories to paint nine images on the Israeli West Bank Wall.
Existencillism, LA July 19th 2002
Tuf war (Banksy painted on animals) 2003
Subverted paintings, London Westbourne Grove 2005.
(Included Monet’s Water Lilly Pond filled with trash and a shopping trolley.) 2005
Warehouse Exhibition, Alexandria, Sydney 2003
Barely legal Exhibition (Depicted Queen Victoria as a lesbian. There was also a pink floral print elephant which upset animal activists.)
In Film
Exit through the Gift Shop appeared at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Directed and starring Banksy, the cast included ‘Shephard Fairey’, ‘Invader’ and ‘Andre’ The film followed a French immigrant in LA (Thierry Guetta) who had an obsession with street art. Banksy’s voice and face are pixelated.
Making money
Banksy’s art is worth a fortune. Christina Aguilera bought Queen Victoria as a lesbian and two prints totalling £25,000. Kate Moss’ collection of Banksy sold at Sotheby’s for no less than £50,400
Bombing of Middle England, £102,000
Balloon Girl, Bomb Hugger £30,000
Ballerina with Action Man parts £96,000
Glory £72,000
A Banksy mural house in his hometown of Bristol is now a listed artwork, which happens to have a house for artist canvas!
August 2004, Banksy made £10 notes using Princess Diana’s head in place of the Queen. The notes were thrown at Notting hill Carnival and people who picked them up tried to spend them in London shops. Each note is now going for £200 on eBay.
A scattered wad of notes came over a fence at Reading Festival. Limited edition posters were sold to commemorate the death of Princess Diana.
Meeting with disapproval.
In 2007 the mural of John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson with bananas instead of guns was painted over by Transport for London. They were adamant that it would increase the crime rate in London.
Whether you are pro or anti Banksy you can’t miss his presence. Shops now sell prints, postcards and collectable memorabilia. Bet you wouldn’t mind being him would you? With talent like that. He stands up for what he believes in and while a lot of protesters are loud and destructive, Banksy is the silent invisible man making quality stencils which have become part of our culture.
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