Banksy - the UK's favourite graffiti artist
The public love puzzles and one of the greatest puzzles to date has been the identity of a certain graffiti artist. Banksy is an artist who creates graffiti in different locations around the world. This is an art form that has grown entirely out of street culture. There are many who are against the graffiti movement and regard it as nothing more than vandalism. But this is a method of expression that has appealed to the younger generation, probably because it does involve the risk of being caught.
Even though the identity of Banksy is not known his work attracts enormous attention. The artist’s creation in Portobello Road received a bid for £218,000. The bid was placed online. It actually shows someone signing off the name Banksy. There are stencils of his work and these are used to replicate his work. This is why it is possible to see a ‘Banksy’ in just about any location. This raises the question as to what is a genuine Banksy? Because his work is selling for hundreds of thousands of pounds it is necessary to be sure that what you are getting is in fact an authentic piece of graffiti done by Banksy and no-one else. The person who buys a Banksy mural for this kind of money also needs another huge sum of money to have the wall removed on which it is painted.
Banksy’s style of stenciling is being copied more and more. It is a fact that often Banksy’s originals are being washed away days after creating them. There are people who are attempting to document his work before this happens. Regardless of what the authorities opinion is about graffiti Banksy is regarded as a true artistic genius by a huge following. Even art investors in the corporate world are taking note of his work because it can only increase in value in the future. Banksy’s work is seen as an icon of the age.
The one fact that was available regarding this mysterious painter is that he was born in Bristol. He has become so famous that the Bristol Council is determined not to destroy his work that appears as if by magic. An expert in graffiti has pointed that the work done by Banksy is ‘bigger, bolder and more elaborate than others’. This is true because the reason that so many people are attracted to his work is because it is so incredibly eye catching. But the expert does go on to say that his work is not ‘technically advanced’. This graffiti artist always does his work in a busy location and it always makes a political statement.
Now, The Mail has claimed to know who Banksy is. They say they have a photo of a man with a spray can. It is believed the photo was taken in 2004 in Jamaica. According to The Mail the man has been identified as Robin Gunningham. He was identified by friends as well as acquaintances. One of them attended Bristol Cathedral School with Gunningham. Scott Nurse described him as being ‘extremely talented at art’. An artist, Luke Egan had previously exhibited his work with Banksy’s. It came to light that Egan was sharing accommodation with Gunningham at the time. However, there is no conclusive proof that this man is in fact Banksy the artist.
Both Angelina Jolie and Christina Aguilera own paintings by Banksy.
