The Fabulous Destiny of Banksy

“There is nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.”

Banksy, the pseudonymous England-based graffiti artist, sliced the “Girl with a Balloon” into pieces, right after the painting sold out for $1.4 million. “The urge to destroy is also a creative urge.” He defended the stunt with a quote from the Spanish artist Picasso on Instagram. It is believed the behavior was an anti-capitalism art in the Sotheby’s auction.

Girl with Balloon, London, UK, 2003

Home sweet home. Banksy was prolific in his homeland. Over 80% of his works were made in the UK. London and Bristol have become his favorite playgrounds naturally. His early works addressed the ideas of nonconformism, anti-establishment, pacifism, anti-capitalism. He has continued to treat these ideas with irony, poetry, and mockery to this day.

Ozone Angel, London, UK, 2007

Slave Labour, London, UK, 2012

Burning Tyre, Bristol, UK, 2016

In the 1980s, graffiti emerged as a form of expression. It was mainly practiced by young, middle-to-lower class city dwellers in Bristol. John Nation captivated this material and ignited the art group, the Barton Hill Youth Club”, after visiting Amsterdam. When the authority cracked down on the delinquents, the Club became a haven where Banksy was allegedly among them.

Kissing Coppers, Brighton, UK, 2005

The London Maid, London, UK, 2007

Snorting Copper, London, UK, 2006

Queen Ziggy Stardust, Bristol, UK, 2012

Rude Copper, London, UK, 2002

“He has a gift: an ability to make almost anyone very uncomfortable.” In 2010, when he became one of the 100 most influential people, Time depicted him as “painting over the line between aesthetics and language, then stealthily repainting it in the unlikeliest of places”. No one dares to forget how “Mona Lisa Smile” was hung in the Louvre with an acid-smiley face.

Bonaparte crossing the Grand-Saint-Bernard, Paris, France, 2018

(Diverted work originally painted by Jacques-Louis David, 1748-1825)

Les graffiti sont un délit, New York, USA, 2013

Petite fille recouvrant une croix gammée, Paris, France, 2018

Madonna With A Pistol, Napoli, Italy, 2010

Better Out Than In, Los Angeles, USA, 2013

Create, Escape, Reading, UK, 2021

Laugh Now, Los Angeles, USA, 2002

Pest Control is the only company that arranges any Banksy print, as a way to be independent from the market-driven world. He remains an anti-war activist. Opened in 2017, the Walled Off Hotel is a political installation to mark the 100th anniversary of the British takeover of Palestine, and the "beginning of a period of confusion and conflict." There is always hope. 

The Walled Off Hotel, Bethlehem, Palestine, 2017

Flower Chucker, Bethlehem, Palestine, 2003

Good Doctor, New York, USA, 2010

Judo Fight, Borodyanka, Ukraine, 2022

Young Gymnast with a Ribbon, Borodyanka, Ukraine, 2022

Bearded Man Taking a Bath, Gorenka, Ukraine, 2022

An international team of street artists aimed at bringing Banksy's message closer to a wider audience without a need to travel. Take an enchanting journey with him in the Banksy Museum, with over 150 of his work showcased in Krakow, including his role model - rats. An existence without permission, yet capable of bringing entire civilisations to their knees.

No Ball Games Rat, London, UK, 2004

Camera Rat, London, UK, 2005

I'm Out Of Bed Rat, Los Angeles, USA, 2002

Rat with 3D Glasses, Utah, USA, 2010

C'est quoi le street art ?

Pour moi, le street art donne une nouvelle définition de l'art. L'art peut sortir à différents endroits, pas seulement au musée, mais aussi dans la rue. Imaginez: un arbre dans la rue, c’est normal; mais un arbre dans le musée, c’est artistique. On ne trouve pas ça bizarre ?

Ensuite, le street art est une nouvelle attraction touristique. Il est gratuit, comme le musée à ciel ouvert. Selon l’emplacement du spectacle de rue, les touristes peuvent prendre des photos et explorer des espaces locaux, par exemple les restaurants et les magasins. Quelle est la meilleure publicité de la ville?

Le street art est aussi une déclaration politique. En tant que citoyen, on ne peut pas utiliser notre communauté pour ces arts décoratifs. Bristol, qui est une ville britannique, devient vraiment célèbre grâce aux œuvres d'art de Banksy. Cependant, la police britannique veut l'arrêter pour vandalisme. Les artistes du street art sont-ils rebelles ? Ou bien établissent-ils une nouvelle culture urbaine ?