Banksy is a somewhat anonymous English graffiti artist, thought to be in his early 40’s and known to be a butcher’s son. He characteristically and lawlessly spray paints on publically seen areas within international cities. His selected brick canvases can also be private property causing him to have a renowned anarchist reputation. Banksy’s pieces range from controversial acts against pop culture to political and religious commentaries.
I love his graphic stencil images with bright contrasts, or print-like aesthetics against linear patterns.
Famously Christina Aguilera bought an original of Queen Victoria as a lesbian and two prints for £25,000. A set of Kate Moss paintings sold in Sotheby's London for £50,400. Art auctioneers have been known to attempt to sell his street art on location and leave the problem of its removal in the hands of the winning bidder.
Pivotally Controversial: A Brief History.
At London Zoo, he climbed into the penguin enclosure and painted "We're bored of fish".
At Bristol Zoo, he left the message 'I want out. This place is too cold. Keeper smells. Boring, boring, boring' in the elephant enclosure.
Comically in March 2005, he placed subverted artworks in the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Likewise, in May 2005 Banksy's primitive cave painting depicting a human figure hunting wildlife whilst pushing a shopping trolley was hung in Gallery 49 of the British Museum, London. Upon discovery, they added it to their permanent collection.
Always shockingly controversial, his renegade behaviour cements him as a true graffiti artist. His elusiveness is unpredictable and anonymity intriguing.
Always shockingly controversial, his renegade behaviour cements him as a true graffiti artist. His elusiveness is unpredictable and anonymity intriguing.
Which brings me to my own encounter of Banksy..
Over the weekend 3–5 May 2008 in London, Banksy hosted a secretive exhibition in a blocked-off former Eurostar road tunnel underneath Waterloo station. He invited other regional stencil graffiti artists to join in and paint their own artwork, as long as it did not cover anyone else's... and I was lucky enough to visit.
These are some of my favourite pieces. Banksy, or Banksy-inspired, they are all tattoo-inspirational and incredibly aesthetically beautiful.
All photos are my own. Taken in situ at Waterloo, London.
I'm glad there was a Kiwi artist present too.
Budgie xo
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