Museum Piece

Background.

Banksy is an England based graffiti artist and political activist.

He is one of the most profound street artists ever, creating some of the most iconic pieces the world has ever seen. He takes political elements and infuses them with his satirical ideas.

Banksy’s work is similar to French street artist Blek Le Rat who used stencils in the early 80’s although banks himself has said he was inspired by 3D a graffiti artist who later became the founder of Massive Attack.

Banksy once said graffiti was “revenge” or guerilla warfare that allows the people to snatch power and glory from the bigger enemy. You can see Banksy doesn’t see what he is doing is illegal or bad he wants change and he’s doing so without hurting anybody. He mocks the powerful people and companies, he aims to show the public that power is against you but isn’t a efficient machine.

You can see that Banksy doesn’t like the way the world work and I think this appealed to me because I’m in the same boat, the world isn’t right and things do need to change. I think this is why I also chose one of his pieces as a focal point of this essay.

Banksy himself and critics

There are many rumors as to Banksy’s identity but two names seem to pop up, Robert Banks and Robin Gunningham. In 2004 and alleged photo of him in Jamaica surfaced and in 2007 the BBC website featured a photo allegedly taken by passers by in Bethnal green. In response to reports that Banksy was Robin Gunningham, Banksy’s agent neither confirmed or denied these reports.

Peter Gibson a spokesman for Keep Britain Tidy said Banksy’s work is simple vandalism and Diane Shakespeare was quoted saying “We are concerned that Banksy’s street art glorifies what is essentially vandalism”. A columnist in the guardian Charlie Brooker said “…His work is clever to idiots” 

Banksy has also been criticized for copying Blek Le Rat, creator of the life sized stencil work in France in the early 80’s but Blek I happy to have inspired a good artist.

 The Piece Of Art I Chose

Banksy's flower thrower.

The Image 

This image really appealed to me, I loved it as soon as saw it, its like it spoke to me, in my opinion art should change or influence lives and I think this work and most of banksy’s work really does.

The size, this original was a huge piece really shouting to the passing people, then these the colours used white and black I like the simplicity and the style Banksy has. The stencil look is mainly used by Blek Le Rat and Banksy which makes there work noticeable and you know who created it.

Why I have Chosen This Work

The reason I have chosen this work is because it really makes something in my body click, when I saw it I was like wow, this picture is making a difference.

Also when I thought of doing this I watched a film based on some of bank sys work with an artist called MR Brainwash, this film was called exit through the gift shop.

The version I was was in Manchester art gallery and on a small canvas but it spoke to me, the militant man would originally been throwing a Molotov or a brick but flower it just twist the picture in a serious but also comedic way.