banksy case study

The artist that I have chosen for my case study is the reclusive, elusive, mysteries man known only as Banksy. “Banksy began his career as a graffiti artist in the early 1990s, in Bristol's graffiti gang DryBreadZ Crew. Although his early work was largely freehand, Banksy used stencils on occasion. In the late '90s, he began using stencils predominantly. His work became more widely recognized around Bristol and in London, as his signature style developed. He is also known for his use of copyrighted material and subversion of classic images.” (The Biography Channel website) Most of his work is what most would call graffiti or street art although over time and with reckless abandon he has taken a counter-culture society from backstreets to galleries around the world. Banksy first gallery show a self-funded event in 2003 titled turf war the venue being a rented run down warehouse. I truly respect his anti-establishment message, forcing fine art and high society to accept his chosen art form. Banksy is now enjoying the fruits of his labor “having pieces that have sold for over $200,000 at a Sotheby’s auction.” (Delana) “Journalist Max Foster has referred to the rising prices of graffiti as street art as "the Banksy effect.”” (The Biography Channel website) I also wish to be able to blaze a trail in gaming industry as Banksy has in the art world.
'The banality of the banality of evil ' Oil on oil on canvas, 2013
Banksy” re-painted a painting which sold at auction for $615,000 with the proceeds going to charity.” (banksyny.com) The original painting has strong elements of balance, unity and scale. I feel that Banksy was able to expand on these elements by adding emphasis via the Nazi imagery. The color used lead the viewer’s attention from the lake to the mountain tops, at the same adding a sense of depth to the painting.
Banksy ‘Girl with Heart Balloon’ spray paint stencil on wall, 2002
Girl with Heart Balloon is a classic example of Banksy’s early work in street art. The line work is very strong but this could be attributed to it being a stencil. He uses grey, black and white as tone colors and red as a complementary color. The girl’s extended out leads my eyesight to the red balloon above just out of her reach.

Banksy ‘No Trespassing Indian’ spray paint stencil on wall, 2010
Banksy uses simulated texture very well in this piece as the Indian and sign he holds onto seem almost lifelike. The emphasis here seems to flowing upward towards the sign. The pole the Indian is holding brings everything together through unity, tying the Indian to a no trespassing sign.

"Banksy." 2013. The Biography Channel website. Nov 09 2013, 10:57 http://www.biography.com/people/banksy-20883111.
Banksy Exit through the Gift Shop 2010 eng subs AdamHWright1991 Published on May 10, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9rnyCyLFtE
“Buying the Art of Banksy: Pieces & Works Sold or For Sale” Article by Delana, filed under Drawing & Digital in the Art category. http://weburbanist.com/2008/08/05/the-art-of-banksy-pieces-sold-and-for-sale/ “The Banksy Prints Vault - Canvas Art Showcase http://www.stencilrevolution.com/banksy-art-prints/no-trespassing-indian/ http://www.stencilrevolution.com/banksy-art-prints/girl-with-a-balloon/
“Elusive street artist 'Banksy' takes New York” banksyny.com November 1, 2013 7:00 AM http://news.yahoo.com/photos/elusive-street-artist-banksy-takes-new-york-slideshow/ http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/W2NHG8SDwQ564YzBLl459A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9ODExO2NyPTE7Y3c9MTIwMDtkeD0wO2R5PTA7Zmk9dWxjcm9wO2g9NjI3O3E9NzU7dz05Mjg-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-11-01/37c80c77-962a-4e76-8eca-246ffe563958_NEW-NAZI-OIL-TIGHT-for-pop-up-use.jpg