He started as a tagger (1992–1994) as one of Bristol's DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ). He was inspired by local artists and his work was part of the larger Bristol underground scene. By 2000 he had moved toward stenciling after realising how much less time it took to complete a piece. Banksy was said to be hiding from the police under a train carriage when he noticed the stenciling serial number and by employing this technique, Bristol and London soon noticed him for his art around the place. A quote from Banksy about his stenciling quotes, "I use whatever it takes. Sometimes that just means drawing a moustache on a girl's face on some billboard, sometimes that means sweating for days over an intricate drawing. Efficiency is the key."
I believe Banksys work is graffiti because it is done illigaly in the streets, which is the definition of graffiti. Another reason i believe this is because graffiti has a purpose or a message to get across to people, which is exactly what banksy achieves. His works consist of mainly stencil work which another reason in why i believe his art is classified as graffiti. A mural is conformist and typical/expected due to the fact you get told what to paint, when to paint, how to paint it and also given permiss to paint that surface, But banksy breaks out of the norm and does what he wants to do and paints the messages he wants to get across to people all whilst being illegal and unkown.
His work is very controversial and political and everybody has a different opinion about, personally i cant get enough of it but others may see it as mindless vandalism. His work can not exactly be sold because it is sprayed onto property in which he doesn't own. Although some of his work that isnt his usual illegal wall sprayed is used for things such as album covers for bands like blur.
http://www.banksy.co.uk/
Kelly has made some good points about Banksys work being graffiti rather than a mural. The point thats its done illegally on the street i think is what kicks up the controversy of it being vandalism or art. I have changed my mind on my original opinion and now i am swaying towards his work being graffiti. He is after all labeled a 'graffiti artist'. Banksy in my opinion appeals to a lot of us as his work is more young and interesting, and it appeals to our generation.
ReplyDeleteI like what you have written about banksy and i agree with what you have said. Even though Banksys work is controversial i really like it and it adds some humour to the political world. His work makes others laugh and pokes fun at authorities which really ppeals to me because it is a new stlye of art that he has created. I think his ork is going to be a turning point for street art and hopfully it becomes more acceptle to the government and the whole society. Banskys undercover identity also shows that he is not hungry for fame and wealth and just wants to express his views on politics through his works. I hope banksy keeps pushing the limit on street art because i find his work very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you have written Kelly and personally I am the same as you, 'I can't get enough of it'. I really admire Banksy's work and absolutely love it. I like what you have written about Banksy breaking out of the normal shell and doing what he wants to do. I think this is very true as his artwork is very different to any artwork anyone has done before. The controversial and political side of his work I personally think is very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteWhat you have written about Banksy is correct. I Find this work very exciting and highly approve of what he is doing and view it more as art rather then 'tagging' and graffiti. I think Banksy is a very original artist and should be congratulated for his work as an revolutionary artist of the 21st century. I think what you have written about Banksy's stenciling quotes is overly interesting as well as the information you have provided about murals.
ReplyDelete