BANKSY

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Arguably the most controversial street artist in the world, Banksy has become synonymous with graffiti culture, modern art and record-breaking sales. His subversive and satirical epigrams often use dark humour to provide social and political commentary, and regularly feature anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment slogans.  The artist keeps his name and identity a closely-guarded secret and his anonymity has created an air of mystery which has helped him to become one of the most successful artists of his

generation. Banksy’s art incorporates freehand painting, spray painting and his signature stencils, which have become his trademark. In his book, ‘Wall and Peace’, he claims the idea to use stencils came to him when he noticed the stencilled serial number under a rubbish lorry whilst hiding from the police after nearly being caught vandalising a public space.  Stencilling presented a practical solution for creating and replicating his work quickly.  

 

Banksy’s works are now regarded as highly sort-after pieces of art rather than acts of vandalism. Many have been moved from the street into the investment market, and Banksy art that appears at auction often surpasses all high estimates.  He caused a sensation at Sotheby’s London in 2018 when a framed copy of his work ‘Girl with Balloon’, originally stencilled on Waterloo Bridge in 2002, spontaneously started to shred moments after it was sold for £1.4 million. He authenticated his responsibility and uploaded the incident to Instagram with the caption, “going, going, gone”, later renaming the piece ‘Love is in the Bin’. Sotheby’s responded by saying that it was the first work in history ever created during a live auction an indication that it is now viewed as a new piece in itself.

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Over the years, Banksy has also undoubtedly had a huge influence on public perceptions of graffiti and the way that many people view street art altogether.