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(Check out our complete guide to Banksy Art and Graffiti.)
Banksy is probably the most popular, yet most mysterious, urban street artist in the world - and he works at incredible extremes. He has become an internationally known as a subversive graffiti artist - yet manages to maintain a secret identity. He is a counter-cultural prankster, but has art in major cosmopolitan galleries around the globe. Banksy’s work has sold to Hollywood celebrities for over a half-million dollars a piece, but much of his subvertising is freely (and illegally) drawn on public surfaces. He works against the mass media establishment, but has been featured in local, national, international news. He is on some level clearly a geek at heart but at the same time his art is always on the cutting edge. The following seven examples illustrate the fascinating range of Banksy’s life and works through his most controversial and compelling projects.
Banksy in the Streets: Banksy is a household name in the UK, perhaps best known for his compelling stencil graffiti, found throughout major cities on walls and billboards. He avoids the abstraction of traditional tags, instead creating (often photo-realistic) urban street art images that respond to a given context and contain some form of social commentary. Of course, these are all highly illegal, which is part of the reason Banksy shields his identity.
Banksy in Museums: Banksy has been an internationally notorious figure since covertly adding his own works onto the walls of major museums in both the UK and the US. He managed to sneak in and install a fake prehistoric cave painting into the British Museum. This piece went unnoticed for days, and was later added to the museum’s permanent collection! Banksy also slipped subversive and satirical painted works onto the walls of four major New York museums - two of these four pieces remain in place.
Banksy on the West Bank: Braving threats and even warning shots from Israeli security forces, Banksy managed to make a statement through his works on the West Bank barrier. Reactions were mixed to his contributions to the wall, but the coverage certainly raised global attention. This kind of work shows the development of Banksy from a local subversive to an artist with a global political agenda, reminiscent of the amazing political murals of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Banksy on Paris Hilton: Despite the gravity of some of his work, Banksy is no stranger to subverty pop culture icons. In one of his most famous stunts, Banksy replaced 500 copies of a Paris Hilton CD with his own remixes and cover art. Perhaps even more amazing: it was reported that no one who accidentally purchased Banksy’s version of the CD returned it. Banksy’s fame has grown as has taken on more attention-grabbing subjects, from international relations to pop icons.
Banksy for Sale: Works of the elusive Banksy have sold for over $500,000 a piece. Among his fans are Hollywood hotshots Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Keanu Reeves and Christina Aguilera. One family in Bristol - Banksy’s home town - went so far as to list their house for sale as a mural with a building attached, to find buyers interested in preserving the art on the side of the structure.
Bansky gets Stolen: Unfortunately, with Banksy’s fame has come a price for curators and communities who have and enjoy his work. Popular pieces have both been stolen from museums and dissappeared from the urban landscape, only to be resold for profit. The former is to be expected, perhaps, but the latter is a real blow to communities that know and appreciate Banksy’s contribution to their neighborhood.
Banksy for Free: On Banksy’s website, images of his work are sold for free and he humorously encourages ‘buyers’ to print it out “on gloss paper using the company printer ink when everyone else is at lunch.” However, the works mentioned here and the pieces shown on his site are only a fraction of his contributions. To learn more, buy one of Banksy’s books - or better yet, take one from the library, replace the dust cover, keep the book and return something provocative in its place!
This video provides a great introduction to the mysteries surrounding Banksy. His work remains more controversial than the leave-no-trace types of urban street art, such as light graffiti, projection bombing or other unusually legal street art. Though his work is sometimes legal and sometimes not, he remains an anonymous trickster, evading identification by the public and the law much like the anonymous subvertisers and culture jammers of the street art world.
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87 Comments
July 20th, 2007 at 5:38 am
Hey cool review. I remember seeing a Banksy piece on some wall in London..I nearly freaked out when I did :D
July 20th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
He really is all over the place. Part of the most difficult thing in writing this ‘beginners’ or ’summary’ guide was picking and choosing between so many images - he is intelligent, creative and extremely prolific!
July 20th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Very creative indeed, sometimes I’m for shock art like Banksy..but then you get the likes of Tracy Emin & Damien Hirst (not in the same league) who grind the hell out of me because they rely on shock…
July 20th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Incredible.
I did see the Paris Hilton video before, and I saw the West Bank wall art and also recently the top pictures but I never made the connection…
July 20th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Yes, some of his stuff is definitely about shock - though I think a lot of it is subtle. I like the fact that some of his work is quintessentially his and very identifiable, but some might belong to just any street artist. That’s part of why (as PeopleInTheSun noticed) not everyone connects the dots and realizes it is all his work!
July 22nd, 2007 at 5:05 am
Goodbye duck.
September 30th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
He obviousy has an enormous range of ideas. Especially his museum appearances are incredibly funny.
October 11th, 2007 at 2:37 am
helle
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:57 am
Some of these things are amazing.
My favourite is a recent one I think (not shown). It’s a sniper on a roof with a boy about to “bang” a paper bag behind him.
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:10 am
The image at the very top is not a banksy. It was done by a college student at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA.
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:29 am
His real name is Robert Banks from Yate near bristol, there are photos of him working in Israel when he put up his pics on the wall,
the “what are you looking at ” image can be found near speakers corner at hyde park, london, head to the toilets youll see it
October 24th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Are you kidding, people over-identify artworks with Banksy, as if he’s the only stencil artist in London. Whenever anyone sees a stencil they immediately attribute it to him, many of the pieces attributed to him are actually done by other well-known (at least in the graffiti world) artists, which is why he’s considered so profound, all the good ones go to his name.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:03 pm
I hated that hipster piece of shit with the hair-thing that was watiing in line.
November 12th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
I love this stuff. Thank you for introducing me to Banksy. Amazing artist. Hope I get to meet him someday.
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
banksy 6 il migliore
December 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Would love to see him put up a HUGE
RON (Insert Face Here) PAUL
December 5th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
What Mark said!! ^^
We are aware that Ron Paul is currently recognized as ‘controversial’ in England as Banksy.
A Ron Paul work would make headlines ’round the world!!
Love them Brit’s!!
December 6th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Excellent review. I thought this Banksy character was just someone in Iraq, but he’s a global artist.
I love how he blends Victorian art with graffiti, and includes a message on top of it.
Well worth the $500,000.
-Diana
December 20th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I’ve been an admirer of Banksy’s work for about 3 years now. He’s the real deal. And yes, there are ‘other’ stencil artists in England, I’m sure…but none of them are BANKSY. I hope he reads this, and keeps on doing his thing. Eventually, someone’s gotta listen.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
“Selling” “free” work is certainly a nice idea, especially from someone who sells his books, but telling people to take a book from a free library is just plain stupid. Why not try the same thing in, oh, I don’t know, a bookstore perhaps?
December 20th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Nice way to ignore Meek, clown.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:35 am
wonder where he gets all those kewl ideas from …
amazing stuff … right ???
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:04 am
Banksy is my favorite of all modern artists. He’s about as authentic as it gets. I can hardly wait till he gets on some more of these annoying fake singer clones of Paris Hilton.
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Have to admit, the art listed above is damn interesting. I find the West Bank images to be hilarious, Banksy sure has a sense of humor all the while prompting observers to think about the situation.
December 24th, 2007 at 12:04 am
Banksy is really one great artist. All his works are very interesting.
December 24th, 2007 at 1:14 am
This is what I’ve been waiting for.
December 27th, 2007 at 9:03 am
I like the one with Paris Hilton.
December 28th, 2007 at 11:15 am
equally inspiring but less well known is moose’s work with reverse graffiti. instead of using paint he cleans a surface revealing the artwork. equally stimulating and completely legal.
http://www.npr.org/templates/s.....Id=3379017
December 30th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
That is some really cool art. I’ve never heard of Banksy, but I’ll definitely look up the name and art. Thanks!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I live in Los Angeles and drive by a few Banksy’s every day. They’re obviously genuine and a few years old. He’s fantastic; I’ve written a number of papers on guerrilla graffiti art with him as the main attraction. Props, Banksy, and good job leaving your mark in West Hollywood. :]
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 am
This guy is a genius, the West Bank images are class, very clever!
February 5th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Doesn’t matter how many times I see these piece… but it’s always refreshing.
Excellent stuff.
Si
February 6th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Really like the pictures in the 3rd set down! It’s all inspiring stuff though.
March 2nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
You encourage people to steal his book from public libraries?
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I have very mixed feelings about Banksy. On one hand, I’m an avid (perhaps rabid would be more appropriate?) political art fan. On the other hand, the fact that he started selling his work for tens of thousands of dollars goes against his critiques about the art world.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Banksy’s work is amazing - both though provoking and full of social commentary.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:36 am
There’s a Banksy rat that I cycle past twice a day, sprayed on to the side of a peice of telco street furniture. I could very easily hacksaw it off, or better still, get someone else to.
But I won’t.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:26 am
You just made up this guy Wanksy- or whatever his name is .. it is actually Jack Vettriano on an Ad busters trip.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:38 am
As someone else has pointed out…. the top picture (Keep Your Coins…) ISN’T by Banksy
April 24th, 2008 at 2:42 am
saw one of his pieces in a random abandoned building in a hallway… and in hollywood he is def up everywhere
April 24th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Small correction, the remixed on the Paris Hilton CD’s were by DJ Dangermouse, who collaborated with Banksy on the ‘project’.
April 24th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Just a bunch of rich guys buying this asshole´s work. Stencil is not art.
April 24th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Nice pieces of art, although the presentation on the page is terrible. Bevel and emboss is not always the best way to bring out a picture.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Bansky is armless, thats what makes him so talented…
April 24th, 2008 at 8:39 am
This is great!
I would have added to the Paris Hilton stunts some of his other stunts, though. Like the Guantanamo prisoner at Disneyland, or the giant Elephant painted like the wallpaper behind it in LA (much to PETA’s anger…) where he also had a Paris Hilton display filled with her CD’s and Giant spitting cockroaches.
Banksy’s the best….
April 24th, 2008 at 11:18 am
2 Rods to society. This is good material and should be publicised. If only I had such artistic quality.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Mystery is Banksy’s middle name. Shuffling and sliding, being under the radar, occasionally offensive - BUT - his aim is to slap politics in the face. More power to his arm.
April 26th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Great piece…the world is his canvas…at least the photographer whores will not find him!
But, was surprised that the you tube was not better…it was very hard to see.
RATS…what a hoot! Even in the Palace!!! LMAO
Southern smiles,
Sharon
April 30th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Since his identity is completely private, how can you tell if it is truly his work or just an impersonators?
May 9th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
That first peice is not by Banksy, its by another artist who calls himself MEEK. Hes pretty similar to Banksy with a more limited base of work.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
The first image is by Meek from Melbourne, Australia.
May 11th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Banksy’s work is simply amazing, like a breathe of fresh air, with a overwhelming sence of humour.Keep up the good work, particularly the political stuff.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:17 am
this guy blows my fuckin mind
May 26th, 2008 at 3:48 am
His identity is NOT private, he’s Robert Banks. There’s this lovely thing you’re on called the internet. Do some homework, people. Great work though.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:43 am
i think banksy’s art work is good stuff :)
im doing a project in school on blackpool
banksy inspired me so much !
i decided to use his sort of ideas:)
ive done graffite work all over my project :)
done about 4 pages on banksy .
think he is great !
June 26th, 2008 at 4:44 am
by the way fuck what that prick above said…
so what if you are him
it doesnt matter !
all that matters is the art !
July 7th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Someone should add to his piece depicting a hole in the west bank wall. Perhaps a picture of a suicide bomber prancing gaily towards it?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
This is fucking wicked stuff, I’ll show these to my noob mates.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Banksy is the best.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
As two people have already pointed out, the top image isn’t a Banksy piece. It was originally uploaded to Stencil Revolution (which is unfortunetly down at the moment).
I can’t remember the artists name.
October 26th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
just appreciate
November 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Now that’s a great collection! Heard about Westminster Council erasing all of Banksy’s work? Check my blog…
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