ABOUT BANKSY
Banksy is an infamous street artist that is known for his political, controversial, and distinct street art media. His signature work is known worldwide, however, his identity remains anonymous. Banksy is established in England, but his artwork crosses borders like his famous graffiti that was spray-painted on the West Bank Wall. His artwork redefines the art industry and highlights issues both locally and internationally. Additionally, Banksy's work is usually entwined with dark humor and comedic content.
Banksy's mastery creates art in everyday places that challenge the viewer’s perspective and changes the game for art “norms”. Banksy is not limited to just to one type of art form, he also incorporates other mediums such as prints, manipulating objects, stenciling, among other designs. Furthermore, Banksy is also a film director, author, and political activist.
Unlike most people, Banksy’s identity hasn’t been exactly manipulated or altered to fit the context of interviewers, photographers, and news outlets. That is because his true identity remains a secret, he reveals to the world what he wants to be known, which is spoken through his artwork. He does not conduct interviews on others terms thus leaving only tiny pieces of the puzzle to distinguish whom he truly is. Nonetheless, that does not stop others from trying to steal his name and pretend to be the real Banksy. Although Banksy’s identity remains in the shadows his works of art takes center stage. Beyond what we know of Banksy’s work we also know some of the artists that are connected to him through one form or the other, which are listed below.
Blek le Rat:
Blek le Rat is considered the godfather of stencil graffiti. Banksy was inspired by Blek le Rat and incorporated much of his style and works into his early graffiti. Both their artwork have similar styles and are both politically charged. Blek le Rat first dubbed images like the stenciled rat although it has become a staple of Banksy. Banksy stated, “Every time I think I’ve painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek le Rat has done it as well, only twenty years earlier.”
King Robbo:
John Robertson or his pen name King Robbo is a graffiti artist that spray-painted one of London’s first pieces of graffiti in 1985. However, in 2009 Banksy took that painting and added his on flare destroying most of the original painting, it created an all out feud between the two artists. Suddenly the two artists started vandalizing each other's work by trying to add their own piece of work on top of the others. The controversy surrounding King Robbo and Banksy eventually ended up becoming showcased in a documentary called Graffiti Wars.
Shepard Fairey:
Frank Shepard Fairey who goes simply by Shepard Fairey is a graphic artist that first gained notoriety for his Andre the Giant artwork. He is most known for his street art and also is the owner of the popular brand Obey. Furthermore, he is a political activist, which is showcased in many of his works of art. In regards to Banksy, Shepard Fairey is one of the few who knows his true identity. Shepard Fairey and Banksy both have helped to propel the underground graffiti movement sharing similarities in the art scene.
Mr. Brainwash:
Thierry Guetta also known, as Mr. Brainwash or M.B.W is an armature videographer and street artist. Much of his artwork is influenced by Banksy. He met Banksy through Shepard Fairey and filmed Banksy creating art until he was later inspired by Banksy to try street art himself. Mr. Brainwash was also one of the subjects of Banksy documentary Exist Through The Gift Store, in which Banksy and Shepard Fairey admitted to helping mold Mr. Brainwash.
