Essay Sample on Banksy: The Mysterious Street Artist Who Fights for Social Justice

Introduction

Banksy is a popular street artist, well-known for his controversial, politically-themed painted pieces. Although he hides his identity from the public, he also participates in political activism and film work from the year 1990 (Holzwarth 40). Banksy was born in Bristol, England in the year 1974 and noted his painting talent at the age of fourteen. He has a unique way of demonstrating social vices through satirical and stenciled art. His work does not directly point out the criminals because he combines dark hilarity with graffiti. Most of his work on social and political criticism is found on bridges, walls, and, streets in large and small cities (Baker 2). Although Banksy hides from public recognition, his stenciled work is known across the world.

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Many have been trying to speculate Banksy's identity and have suggested two names; Robin Gunningham and Robert Banks (Biography.com Para. 2). Banksy's work indicates that he is Gunningham, who was also born in Bristol and moved to London in 2000. He is given the name because of the time correlation. Moreover, Bansky began his work around 1990 at the same time Gunningham is believed to have started his artwork in London. Banksy grew up in the underground scene and was inspired by 3D who was a member of Massive Attack group and a graffiti artisan (Baker 3). His work is viewed by all the members of the public at no cost because he displays them in walls or physical prop scenes that he builds for this work. Initially, he used to redraw pictures for sale but he no longer does it. However, it is interesting that his open paints are resold by removing the picture from the location (wall). Pest Control is an organization that sells some of Banksy's work. He has achieved a lot of accomplishment in the art industry, and this was after his documentary "Exit Through the Gift Shop". The film first appeared at Sundance Film Festival in 2010. In 2011, Banksy was nominated as one of the best documentary producers in the Academy Awards. In 2014, he received an award from the Webby Awards as the best artist of the year (Webbyawards.com 1).

Career

Banksy started as a freehand painter who was a member of DryBreadZ Crew. Local artists such as 3D, and Nick Walker inspired him, and his work became part of the underground scene in Bristol. His work became known after Steve Lazarides started selling his work to the public and exhibitions. However, freehand painting consumed, and Banksy turned to stencil in 2000 because it saved time. He also used the technique to keep off from police officers who were constantly patrolling the area. The technique also attracted many people, and he became popular in Bristol and London (Bull 4). He also participated in sports as a goalkeeper for the Easton Cowboys team, and in 2001 they toured Mexico playing different matches. "The Mild Mild West" is the first painting that became popular in 1997 (The Art Story Para 4). It was displayed on a wall, marketing of a former lawyers' office on Stokes Croft in Bristol. The picture show three rioting police office, and a teddy Baer that is stealing the Molotov cocktail. His stencils are hilarious because he aims at getting the attention of the public by presenting something appealing to the eyes. He incorporates slogans commenting on social evils such as anti-capitalist, antiwar, and anti-establishment. The common themes on his images include police harassments, corruption, childhood neglect and abuse, government misuse of power or elderly neglect or apprise. To depict these themes in his work he uses subjects such as the elderly, soldiers, rats, children, policemen, and apes. However, Banksy's way of art may be lost in several years to come because he displays them on public walls. His great work may fail to be recognized by future generations because they will be nowhere to be seen. For instance, in 2011 the popular "Gorilla in a Pink Mask" was removed from the wall of former East Ville social club. It was among the best images of his early works and has been on the exterior wall for ten years. It was removed after the place became a center for Muslim culture. Banksy should open an exhibition or sell his work or museums for future safety. The open display may earn him popularity because many people recognize his work, but in the future, it will be history. He needs to secure his work by keeping them safe and also displaying them publicly.

Banksy has been doing his best in this field since the last decade. Currently, he still gains recognition for his paintings, and some are now selling at the best price in the market. In October 2019 he sold his work titled "Devolved Parliament" which he had done in 2009. The picture shows the House of Commons full of chimpanzees and was sold for PS9.9 million. It was the best price he has received since he began his work. The work is relevant in the current debate on Brexit showing how members of Commons are behaving selfishly to get their way (BBC News Para 1).

Banksy continues to experience the issue of trademark dispute because he does not reveal his identity. In October 2019 he was challenged by a greetings cards firm for refusing to use his trademark on his work. The company argued that the pictures are not his work because he does not put an ownership mark. In response, Banksy said that the firm wants to take his trade name and mark to sell fake images legally (The Guardian Para. 3). The following are some excellent work that has made Banksy a popular graffiti artist.

Figure 1:"Napalm Girl" (2004)

The image was a pre-existing photo of Kim Phuc who was running away from the Vietnam attack in 1972 (The Art Story Para 5). The girl was naked but surrounded by clothed soldiers and children. Banksy has replaced them with Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse holding the horrified girl's arms. He twists the image to create humor in a sensitive situation by showing that Both Mickey and Macdonald are smiling while the naked girl is devastated. Mickey and McDonald are the faces of capitalism in America that caused the Napalm attack in Vietnam (The Art Story Para 3).

America and its capitalist economy are the two smiling faces that hold the horrified girl. The image displays the uncaring culture of the capitalist American culture. They only focus on their gain without considering the pain and sufferings the others are experiencing. The American throws bombs at children while at the same time glamorizing and commercializing war. The image shows Banksy's feelings on the American dark side. He once stated that the greatest offenses are not committed by those who break the law, but the ones who follow the orders (The Art Story Para 4).

Figure 2: "Love is in the Air" (2003) or "The Flower Thrower"

The image is a fine work with a message of peace and, it is situated on the wall of Jerusalem garage. It demonstrates a man in rioting clothes. The man has worn a back-to-front cap and he has also covered his face with a bandana. His posture portrays that he is ready to steal the Molotov cocktail because he is thrown the weapon. However, he does not have weapons in his hands, but a bunch of flowers (The Art Story Para 2). Banksy substitutes weapons with flowers to symbolize that he advocates for peace in the conflicted area. Moreover, the image also carries the message of honoring the people who died during the religious conflict (The Art Story Para 2).

Figure 3: "Stopped-and-Frisked" (2017)

This is another iconic work that demonstrates how police harass street artists. In the image, a figure is dispassionately freaked by two offers with arms in the air. Bansky as one of the street graffiti artisans understands the torture and harassment they receive from police who claim that they are destroying the beauty of the city as well as the environment (The Art Story Para 7).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Banksy is an iconic graffiti artist who started his work in the last decade. Most of his work on social and political criticism is found on bridges and walls. The common themes on his images include police harassments, corruption, childhood neglect and abuse, government misuse of power or elderly neglect or apprise. Although Banksy is recognized internationally for his work, he experiences issues with trademark because he does not use it. He also loses some of his signature images when the wall or brides are painted with a different color. Banksy should open a shop to show that he is using his trade name and mark to prevent others from using it. If he does not confirm that he is using the trademark, it may be transferred to a different party who would legally sell all his merchandise, Moreover, some malicious people may sell low quality merchandise using his trademark and ruin his reputation.

Works Cited

Baker, Lindsay "Banksy: off the wall". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. (28 March 2008). Archived from the original on 13 April 2009.

BBC News. Banksy painting of MPs as chimpanzees sells for PS9.9m, 2019. Web https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-49924281

Biography.com. Banksy Biography, JUN 28, 2019. https://www.biography.com/artist/banksyBull, Martin. Banksy Locations & Tours: A collection of Graffiti Locations and Photographs in London, England. PM Press. (2011).

Holzwarth, Hans Werner, ed. 100 contemporary artists. Vol. 1. Taschen America Llc, 2009.p 40

The Art Story. Banksy - Biography and Legacy. The Artist Modern Sight, 2019. Web https://www.theartstory.org/artist/banksy/life-and-legacy/The Art Story. Banksy Artworks. The Artist Modern Sight, 2019. Web https://www.theartstory.org/artist/banksy/artworks/

The Guardian. Banksy launches homewares shop in dispute over trademark, (2019). Web https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/oct/01/banksy-launches-homewares-shop-in-dispute-over-trademark

Urbanist. Banksy Paradox: 7 Sides of the Most Infamous Street Artist. 2007. Web https://weburbanist.com/2007/07/19/banksy-paradox-unofficial-guide-to-the-worlds-most-infamous-urban-guerilla-street-artist/

Webbyawards.com. Webby Award Winner: BANKSY. 2014.Web https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2014/special-achievement/webby-person-of-the-year/banksy/