Your task is to research some influential street artists and learn more about who they are, what they do, how they do it and why they do it. Then, choose a specific street artist who made a conscience provoking message go viral through their art — this might refer to one or several pieces of their art.
You need to write about the following aspects of the street artist. Aim for 350 words, visual examples and references must be included:
- Background. How did they get started and make a name for themselves? What inspired them to take their art to the streets.
- Speak about their artistic style/execution and the mediums they put their art on, e.g. buildings, pavements etc.
- Give your opinion about the art piece/s that conveyed the conscience provoking message.
- Speak about the impact it made. Did the artist achieve the goal they set out to accomplish through their street art?
I chose to write about Banksy
I first learned about Banksy when I watched the movie “Exit through the giftshop”, which is one of the movies he has made.
Banksy is a pseudonym, and his identity is today still unknown. He is an English visual artist, but originally known as a Graffiti artist. Since we don’t know that much about him, there are speculations that he was born in Bristol in the 1970’s and currently live in Yate.
He started as a part of DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ), and painted free hand in the late 90’s. Through the project “Walls on fire” (which was a big event), he established his name Banksy which got known around all Europe.
After this he started using stencils and it is rumored that he did this because it was a quicker solution to not be caught by the police.
Banksy’s style is often humoristic and is sometimes combined with text. His message in his art is often about freedom, against war and capitalism or against the upper class. About his techniques Banksy has said: “I use whatever it takes. Sometimes it means just drawing a mustache on a girl’s face on some bulletin board, other times it means sweating for days over an intricate drawing. Efficiency is the key.”
He has done a lot of Art stunt’s that has got a lot of media coverage. For example, in 2006 he made a picture of a naked man hanging from a bedroom window on a wall in downtown Bristol. The picture became controversial, and the Bristol City Council let the public decide whether the picture should be removed or not. After an internet discussion where 97% (all, except six people) wanted to keep the picture, the city council decided that the picture should remain on the building.
I think Banksy is really interesting. The art is all about the art, not the artist. He wants the people to be free and create thoughts and feelings in people. Even though many people look at his art as vandalism, I think his art has educational value to the public.
The main lesson to take from Banksy’s artwork is to always take advantage of an opportunity and explore your creativity. He said “what we do in life echoes in eternity”, meaning that we need to think about the impact we can have on the world. Which I think is exactly what he did.
cathrinenilsen.com 