| Who is Banksy? Is that his real name? Where is he from? No one knows the true identity of Banksy, but himself. The master of street art wishes to remain unknown, leaving it up to people to guess his identity. With all the years that he’s been active, people only have speculated about the artist that leaves behind amazing creations on the streets, walls, and bridges. What Do We Know About Banksy? Banksy is an English graffiti artist, film director, political activist, and painter. He decorates the streets with satirical artwork and subversive epigrams, depicting an element of dark humor combined with graffiti using a stenciling method. Banksy, being an avid traveler, travels around the world painting along the way. His ability to paint 3D pictures that jump out at you is a talent not many posses. Almost all of the street art is painted using the stenciling method. On the topic of the stenciling method, it is quite the story of how he knew that he wanted to paint using this technique. How Did Banksy Find His True Calling? From 1990 to 1994, he worked as a freehand graffiti painter, working alongside other artists. When he broke away from the group, he discovered the stenciling method. According to Banksy, in order to hide from the cops, he hid under a garbage can, and it was then when he discovered the stenciling method. When he began using it, he found out that he finished his drawing faster than before. At that time, he began to gain more fame for his artwork. That resulted in him employing the technique full time. Before he went out on the road to spread awareness and record his travels, he worked under contract with advertising agencies. In Bristol, he painted his first wall mural called Mild Mild West in 1997. What Does He Create Now? Now, he works often for himself, stenciling humorous and striking pictures paired with slogans. Through his drawings, he wants to spread the message about anti-capitalist, anti-war, or anti-establishment. The messages are drawn around few of his favorite chosen themes such as children, the elderly, apes, soldiers, and rats. Even though his identity may never be revealed, his artwork will continue to shock and please us, but we cannot say the same about governments feeling the same way, as they are left with the duty to clean up after him. If you want to search some of his artwork, you should Google Charles Mansion stencil, drawings on the Israeli West Bank wall, portrait of Queen Victoria, and many others. Unfortunately, many of his artwork has not survived, having been destroyed, painted over, and vandalized. Since he sends a strong message to the group or organization he is targeting, cities do not tolerate it. They are not too keen on him defaming their streets with his artwork and order them to be destroyed. Luckily, people have captured his artwork in pictures so you will still get to see it in photographs, if not live. Who knows? You could get lucky and get to see Banksy’s artwork! | |
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