Banksy

Banksy is a British street artist born in 1974, well known for his controversial stencilled
artworks. His art appears all over the world (London, New York, Berlin, Gaza, Tokyo),
and gives powerful messages connected to current life concerns, cultural identity,
politics, capitalism and war . Banksy, whose identity still remains hidden and unknown,
has become world famous. In 2010 he featured in Time magazine as one of the 100
most influential people in the world. He is inspired by Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.
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In 2005, Banksy visited Palestine where, together with his team, he painted 7 large murals on
the West Bank Wall also referred to as the Segregation Wall. His aim is always to promote peace.
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Jerusalem Ramallah check-point, 2005
This mural plays on the notion that the grass may be greener on the opposite side of the field. It is a trompt loe image
fake opening of the wall with stencilled image of children by the seaside.
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From the Jerusalem wall 2005, the balloons symbolize freedom and in the second case (UK
Waterloo Bridge at London's Southbank 2002) the heart shape balloon symbolizes hope. The Girl
with balloon is an image he revisits using in different countries and sights
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Armoured Dove of Peace 2007
The Dove as we know is usually a symbol of peace, in this image the dove does not represent
peace

The dove is dressed in a bulletproof vest

with a red target from a gun placed on its
chest, suggesting the exact opposite of
peace.
It is located on a building in Bethlehem in
Israel and displays a political comment to
criticize the ongoing Palestine-Israeli
conflict. The Israeli West bank wall used to
separate Palestine from Israel.
He has created 9 images on this wall.
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on the remains of a house that witnesses said was destroyed by Israeli shelling during a 50-day war
last summer, in Biet Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip

The playful kitty is a sharp contrast to the

destruction all around.
Bansky explanation for this image: ‘I wanted
to highlight the destruction in Gaza by
posting photos on my website – but on the
internet people only look at pictures of
kittens’.
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The Flower Thrower, Flower Bomber/ Rage/ Love is in the Air 2005
Another iconic example painted in Jerusalem in the West Bank. The man is painted in black and white,
the flowers have been given colour to add emphasis. The message is ‘make peace, not war’, in a time
when numerous conflicts divide the world.
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He likes drawing animals as part of his characters. Children, the elderly and the military are also seen in his drawings and work in general..
Because I’m worthless 2005 London
I'm out of bed and dressed what else do you want? 2006 Los Angeles
Théodore Géricault VS Banksy
Théodore Géricault French romantic artist (1791-1824/ died aged 32) The Raft of the Medusa 1819
In Calais/ France Banksy painted a variation of Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’
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Banksy’s version, depicts a raft full of migrants trying to get the attention of a passing cruise ship.
On Banksy’s website this work has the following caption: ‘We’re not all in the same boat.’ 2015

• Baksy has also said: ‘We’re often led to

believe migration is a drain on the
country’s resources, but Steve Jobs was
the son of a Syrian migrant. Apple is the
world’s most profitable company and it
only exists because they allowed in a
young man from Homs’. This mural can
be seen in Calais, France.
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Banksy is a long-time supporter of the refugee cause funded a boat, crewed by volunteers to rescue
refugees in the Mediterranean attempting to reach Europe from Africa . These images were done
were after Emmanuel Macron had said that the city does not become a magnet for refugees.
Jacques-Louis David Vs Banksy
Jacques-Louis David Neoclassic French artist 1748-1825, Napoleon Crossing the Alps, 1801
This work makes a reference on David's canvass, one of the most iconic in French 19th-century art,
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about the ban on the niqab in France. It shows Napoleon rearing his horse as he crosses the Alps to
invade Italy in 1800, his face and body wrapped in his red cloak. appeared on a wall in an ethnically-
mixed district of northern Paris.
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Hula-hooping girl
Rothesay Avenue, Nottingham UK, 2020

The work appeared on the red brick wall of

a beauty salon, next to a bicycle that was
locked to a metal signpost and missing its
back wheel.
How do we know its original Bansky? A
picture of this work was posted on Banksy's
Instagram feed and website.
The work is now removed. The brick wall
was cut off.
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Banksy's take on Claude Monet's classic Water Lilies. It's one of several "doctored" pieces that the
artist has snuck into leading art galleries and museums around the world.
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Johannes Vermeer Dutch Baroque painter, Girl with a Pearl Earring 1665
Banksy’s version was done in the city of Bristol in 2004. The title according to his website: Girl
with a Pierced Eardrum. The painting, features an outdoor alarm box as the woman’s earring.
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The image features a yellow alarm box as the girl’s iconic piece of jewellery. Its perhaps to do with
public surveillance and security issues. It was painted on the exterior wall of a recording studio.
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Umbrella Girl also known as Rain Girl/ Nola Girl with Umbrella 2008This image represents hurricane Katrina, which
devastated New Orleans due to the inadequate response of the federal government to the natural disaster. All the
people in need, compelled to rely on insecure means of help such is rain-pouring umbrella.
Banksy Cave Painting Removal 2008, Leake street tunnel, London, England
‘People who do not understand art will often destroy it’ said Banksy. This image lasted 4 months
before it was painted over. a council worker cleaning up ancient cave paintings.
Q: Write one page describing this graffiti and about the meaning conclude with your opinion.