FIGURE 1
Banksy is amazing. He is one of the most well known artists in the world of stencil graffiti. His talent and creativity has influenced societies all over the world. He is an artist, though many would not think so. He is an acitvist, one many may hate. And he is an idol, one that many may look up to.
The best and most intriguing thing about Banksy himself is that he is unknown. No one knows his face, height, age, hair color, etc to be exact; Only a few estimates are to be known about him including those that say he was born in 1974 in Bristol, UK. All people know is his art. His art is a world phenomenon, and has displayed it in places all over the world including places such as Bristol, London, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, Greece, Sydney, Australia, Palestine, and much, much more.
The first movie above gives a great insiders view of Bankst for beginners and you even get to possible hear his voic in an interview
The second video however shows something other than stenciled graffiti. At one of his art shows, he displayed this elephant, representing world poverty. This large animal is litterally the "elephant in the room," but its painted skin matches that of the wallpaper on the walls just behind his art. Symbolizing the problem of world poverty as the "elephant in the room," but making it blend in with the surroundings makes this piece magnificent. His ideals are key in his art, and his political activism is what seems to drive his every move.
Because he is so well know in the world of street art, he is an inspiration. As Condry spoke of Globilization of hip-hop into Japan, Banksy drove the globilization or political activism through iurban art across the world. People see his worka nd try to replicate a stencil just os obscene, or beautiful. Many who share the same views as he, try to activate in the same ways he does, or they support him in every way. Banksy himself, through his art and activism, has spread the concept of urban art around the world and has created a subculture of followers who love most of the things he does.
