Who is Banksy?

Banksy is a nickname used by a talented graffiti artist and political activist from England. His real name is unknown yet his popularity and critical reception is immense.

His work is prominent in the streets of Bristol, England where he became an intrinsic part of the "Bristol underground scene", a culture of Trip-Hop, Drum & Bass, and Graffiti that emerged in the early 90's. Banksy's street art is often satirical, combining dark humour and political and social commentary. He often uses stencil heavy designs to portray his visual critiques of government and politics.

Many assume that Banksy's main inspiration was an early graffiti stencil artist known as Blek le Rat, but according to Banksy this is not the case. Banksy's main inspiration is said to be an artist from "Massive Attack" known as 3D. Banksy does not sell his art, but it has been known to be auctioned off by third parties. In 2007 the piece "Space Girl & Bird" was auctioned off for a massive $576,000 USD.

Space Girl & Bird

Over the years his fan base has grown exponentially. With the increase of his popularity came praise and criticism. In 2010 Banksy showed his first film "Exit through the Gift Shop" at the Sundance Film Festival. The film was nominated in 2011 for the Academy for Best Documentary. He has also won the Toronto Film Critics Association Awards Best First Feature, Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature, and the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association award for Best Documentary Film in 2010.

On the other side of the critic coin we have those who believe his work is nothing but "simple vandalism". The "Keep Britain Tidy" organization do not appreciate Banksy's art stating that it glorifies vandalism. Satirist Charlie Brooker of "The Guardian" even went as far as to say that Banksy's work "looks dazzlingly clever to idiots", winning him no regard from the millions of people involved in the culture of graffiti art.

Weither he is winning prestigious awards or getting insulted by the media, Banksy's art tends to bring out strong emotions from its viewers. Be it a humorous tounge-in-cheek jab at modern society or a powerful visual attack on corrupt government and politics, Banksy's Street Art is always memorable, thought invoking, and above all else, entertaining.

Banksy Wall and Piece (Book)