How can we categorize Banksy's work -graffiti or murals?
Research Banksy's work to attempt to answer this question.
What are some of the differing opinions about Banksy's work?
How does his work sit in relation to consumerism? Can his work be sold?
What are some of his attitudes to the sale of Art?
Who is Banksy? Do we know his true identity?
Upload 2-3 images of Banksy's work that you find interesting, and comment
on the ideas behind the
work.
In my opinion Banksys work is a bit of both, he could make them murals but the locations that Banksy has his art it can be seen as graffiti, his works are often somewhat mocking pieces of art on topics such as
ReplyDelete• Politics
• Culture
• Ethics
• Society
Banksy started out as a free hand graffiti artist and was part of Bristol's “DryBreadZ” Crew (DBZ) and from their Banksy started using stencils and free hand art. Banksy witty and amusing stencils usually included a slogan or phrase; the message was usually anti-war, anti capitalism or anti-established subject matter. He often used rats, the elderly, children, policemen and soldiers.
Banskys work is pleasing by some but is still seen as graffiti and unsociable street art by others, Banksy displayed his work at the national park at Alcatraz Island were national park service site supervisor said "and sorry folks, we have removed this graffiti". They also went on saying how they are preserving and protecting the site for future generations. To some his work is not appreciated and is just considered as graffiti, for other they can appreciate what he's doing. There are many mixed opinions about his work.
Banksy's work is usually on brick walls, billboards, and very public areas. Banksy does not sell photos of his street graffiti, but art auctioneers have been recognized and tried to attempt to sell his street art and leave the problem of removal to the winning bidder. "On 21 February 2007, Sotheby's auction house in London auctioned three works, reaching the highest ever price for a Banksy work at auction: over £102,000 for his Bombing Middle England. Two of his other graffiti works, Balloon Girl and Bomb Hugger, sold for £37,200 and £31,200 respectively, which were well above their estimated prices. The following day's auction saw a further three Banksy works reach soaring prices: Ballerina With Action Man Parts reached £96,000; Glory sold for £72,000; Untitled (2004) sold for £33,600; all extensively above estimated values.
Banksy has quoted "I Can't Believe You Morons Actually Buy This Shit" this shows that the artist does not think his work his that of the standard that is has sold for. His work does have two different opposing sides and come down to the buyers and how the viewer perceives of the work. Banksy was born in 1974 and raised in Bristol, England. Banksy trained, as a butcher but got involved in graffiti during this time. He has been involved in diverse groups such as Bristol DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ). In August 2004, Banksy created fake British £10 notes removing the Queens head and changing it to that of the late Princess Diana’s, and changing the text "Bank of England" to "Banksy of England." Some recipients tried to spend in local shops.
References:
http://www.banksy.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy
http://www.artofthestate.co.uk/banksy/banksy.htm