The artist known as “Banksy” is an anonymous street
graffiti artist. There are many theories about who he actually is: the most predominant theory is that he is Robin Gunningham. Other theories include Robert Del Naja (front man of the band “Massive Attack”), Jamie Hewlett (English comic book artist), Pierre Koukjian (artist), or a team of 7 different artists. • Banksy rose to fame in the late 1990s • Contemporary • Bristol, England in 1974 • Lived in Easton, Bristol in 1990s. Then he moved to London in 2000. • Banksy began doing graffiti as a teenager as part of the DryBreadZ Crew. He adopted the name ‘Banksy’ to protect his identity since graffiti is illegal. He was influenced by a French graffiti artist named Blek le Rat – particularly his visual style and political messaging. Rather than using a free-hand painting style, Blek used stencils to create images. Banksy adopted this technique for practical reasons. Banksy’s works target political hypocrisy and social injustice. In London, his stencils of rats and chimps appeared around the city, gaining the attention of the national mainstream press. • Banksy’s art has become a world-wide success thanks to the many influential, satirical, and often political messages it spreads. • His film ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop: A Banksy Film’ won the Toronto Film Critics Association Awards – Best First Feature 2010. The film also received Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature and Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association – Best Documentary Film 2010. Additionally it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. • Banksy’s work centered around the idea of ‘Brandalism’ – a combination of ‘brand’ and ‘vandalism’ borrowed from US punk culture. Copying the techniques and language of advertising, Banksy's work appeared in clever public locations and attacked brands such as Tesco and Nike. • A concept, the "Banksy Effect," has developed as a result of Banksy's artistic innovation. This term is a reference to Banksy’s ability to take outsider art and bring it into the cultural mainstream. The phrase was coined to reference the way in which Banksy's work has led to an increased interest in street art. Street art has since been incorporated as part of culture and daily life, especially in the areas that Banksy works more predominantly. • When Banksy began, graffiti was largely frowned upon and seen as public vandalism—not art. Since his rise to fame, however, his graffiti has been praised not only as meaningful art, but as culturally significant statements. • Banksy has a cult-like following, but his artwork is sought by tourists, art- collectors, and celebrities alike. The ambiguity of his identity has drawn massive groups of followers. However, young artists have begun defacing some of Banksy’s work, and there was even a rivalry with a fellow street artist during which the two would graffiti over each other's work. Many of Banksy’s works, though illegal, are now being protected from being vandalized by new graffiti artists. • Banksy’s art continues to defy the rules, break social norms, and challenge the higher authorities. Despite all his fame and popularity, he has managed to keep his identity a secret. Some view Banksy as a “robin hood” artist, and his public art continues to excite, intrigue, and challenge opinions of millions around the world. • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy • https://education.onehowto.com/article/wh o-is-banksy-and-why-is-he-famous- 10908.html • https://www.biography.com/people/banksy- 20883111 • https://www.bbc.com/timelines/zytpn39 • https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles /banksy-6697.php