Banksy Pt. 1

Another awesomeness from the UK is of course, Banksy. I have read some posts on Towleroad about how a graffiti artist Banksy's painting fetch half a mil easily in auction and how Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt is breaking their bank to get some work of his or how George Michael is trying to commission Banksy to paint the back of their house while trying to protect the Artists real identity at the same time. Well I didn't get what the big deal was until I picked up Wall and Piece at the MoMA store.

Back in the late 80s I discovered Keith Haring, and he became my hero when HIV/AIDS first become a crisis. Now, bad politics and bad politicians had become a crisis and Banksy's art explores it. Not in a museum arena way, but he take his questions and viewpoints to the streets of London, Bristol and even LA and SF, provoking thoughts sparking conversations. What good is a painting in the museum if it can't be readily available to inspire?

He utilizes stencils to make humorous images, occasionally poems. The message is usually anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment. Subjects include rats, policemen, soldiers, and children making reference to popular cultures.

Here are some of his works:


Pledge to commercialism? Or is it that it means all the same to children?


I heard that this happens in the airports.


I love this one. Could this possibly normalize the gays?


Hilarious.


Love this too. It is so controversial and thought provoking.


Revenge! I wish I can do this to the men in uniform. Well I could, but I have to pay for it by the hour.


Hilarious


Does the guy know me? Is he an ex? lol

After meeting Joe.My.God, Banksy is now on the top of my list of people I'd like to meet. I'll post more his work later but if you'd like to explore, go to his site here.