First Graffitis were found on Egyptian monuments and on walls on Pompeii. Graffitis are usually associated with drawings, patterns and scribbles which are connected with slogans, slurs or political statements. To draw graffiti on a private or public property is usually considered to be vandalism. However, there is one artist in Great Britain who does that and manages to keep his identity in secret, famous graffiti artist Banksy.
Who is Banksy
The story about him is almost like a myth. It is believed that Banksy is a native Yate, born in 1974. However, this is only an assumption.
All we know is that his works are magnificent and known to the whole world. Time magazine even wrote that he is one of 100 most influential people in the world. His works are hundreds of thousands dollars worth. Today, he has left his artwork in cities from Vienna to San Francisco, Barcelona to Paris and Detroit. So why is Banksy so special? Why people admire his works so greatly? Could it be that the entire story about his unknown identity is the most popular thing about him? Or his works are more important than he himself?
As a teenager Banksy began doing graffiti in his hometown, Bristol, as part of the DryBreadZ Crew. Under the influence of Blek le Rat he started painting with stencils, abandoning the usual technique of spray painting.
He developed the anti-establishment views he grew up with in Bristol. Inspired with a new visual style, Banksy pursued more political targets with his work. He took his art outside the walls of galleries and replaced it on the walls on abandoned houses and tunnels, making them available to all people.
What are some of his most famous Art pieces
Works of Banksy are based on arguments against mass media establishment. His works are not something that is "déjà vu", in fact, his works are containing commentaries that are inside of every human head. Just we all are afraid to say some things out loud. Some of his most famous works are THE SON OF A MIGRANT FROM SYRIA (depicts Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs as the son of a Syrian migrant to the United States, emphasizing the satirical situation about migrants), MOBILE LOVERS (highlights the disconnection between lovers using mobile devices), THE MILD MILD WEST (depicts a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at three riot police, showing the true face of US), BOMB HUGGER (depicts a young girl, with a ponytail and a skirt, hugging a military bomb, emphasizing the true nature of war) etc.
One of his most famous works, THE FLOWER THROWER, where he depicts a young man involved in a riot, throwing a bunch of flowers, is printed on T – shirts around the globe.
His work is very popular among the Hollywood Stars
Banksy sold great number of his works to Hollywood celebrities for over half a million dollars for a piece. He is all about breaking the rules. He has managed to break into the museums in United Kingdom and one in the United States. After entering the museums, he added his works on walls of these major museums. The picture remained unnoticed for a few days but then was set as a piece of permanent collection. Banksy 's work is not just about politics. He has something to say even when it comes to music and celebrities.
He once replaced five hundreds of Paris Hilton CDs with his own remix and her cover was replaced by his pictures. It was amazing to find out that no one who has bought this CD has turned it back.
Unfortunately some of Banksy´s works were stolen or disappeared. However, most of his art can be found online. His art is now available all around the globe. He himself has become some kind of a brand for all graffiti writers. Undoubtedly, the mischievous, anonymous outsider who paints beautiful, realistic pictures became an inevitable part of Britain's art scene.
