Banksy

If anyone is hesitant about the wild world of graffiti, I would first advise them to check out Banksy. It seemed fitting to base my first post around this anonymous British street artist. Banksy's artwork has been strewn about major cities of the world, though rarely lasting more than a week, or two, with luck. Banksy began displaying his work in the streets in the early 90's, mostly in London. He grew to appreciate the art of stenciling, which many of his fellow underground artists had adopted. Today, Banksy has published several books of his different works, a movie ("Exit Through the Gift Shop") recently premiered in January 2010, and the graffiti mastermind has had numerous exhibitions in the UK and America since the millennium. Banksy is by no means strictly a street artist. Although, I think that most of his street work is far more aesthetically pleasing and intriguing than his exhibition works.  So, I'll try to focus on his most intriguing displays of vandalism. His works don't all have something to say, but the ones that do, say it loud and clear. Though unidentified, he seems like the cheeky, outspoken political activist that the government should start paying attention to rather than washing away.

Here is a trailer for the film "Exit Through the Gift Shop". I haven't watched it yet. But I'll let you know what I think when I do.

Banksy has a thing for rats.

 

 And monkeys!

And government officials...

The POPO

Solidiers / Anti- War Pieces

Some bizarre...

 

Some crystal clear...

Street Installations

This is a video of an installation of a dolphin stuck in an oil spill that Bansky placed at a popular pier. 

These pieces were (understandably) controversial, and thus, weren't visible much longer after the shots were taken (save the first of the POPOs, which is not a graffiti piece).

These massive satirical assaults on society are the makings of a legendary street graffiti artist.