Banksy is probably one of the most famous artists alive. His stencil-style ‘guerrilla’ art became his trademark along with his strong anti-war, anti-capitalist and anti-establishment messages. His first pieces appeared on the streets of Bristol and London in early 90’s and many more have appeared around the world since.

Although his art carries strong political messages they are also quite amusing and daring… in 2006 he left an inflatable doll dress as a Guantanamo prisoner in Disneyland to bring attention to the conditions of the terror suspects. He’s also believed to have smuggled a fake picture he created of a smiling Mona Lisa into the Paris Louver museum and hung it near the real one.

He’s also painted pictures on the concrete wall that the Israeli government is building between Israeli and Palestinian areas. These pictures look as if they are gaps in the wall, through which you can see beautiful things on the other side. One of my favourate’s is the time he put a wheel clamp on the statue of the ancient British Queen, Boadicea, and her chariot in London so it looked as though it was illegally park, and more recently he managed to paint a small boy, watched by a security guard, painting the words: ‘One nation under CCTV’ on a wall in Oxford Circus, despite being watched by CCTV cameras himself.

Some people think he’s just a vandal. I believe Banksy’s work to be a breath of fresh air. He see’s everywhere is a blank canvas and has created a distinct style, which he uses to get delicate messages across whilst making a lot of people smile.

His exhibition at Bristol’s City Museum and Art Gallery this summer has had rave reviews. Unfortunately I didn’t get to go but apparently his work was found in every area of the museum mixed in with other exhibits with his usual humour and strong messages.

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