Posts Tagged ‘graffiti art’

Everything you Wanted to Know about Banksy Canvas Art and the Artist

December 18th, 2009

Banksy has carved a unique niche for himself in the realm of art. His work is so witty, sarcastic, brilliant and bold that banksy canvas art has been officially categorised as Graffiti art.

About the artist

It is believed that Banksy began his career as a graffiti artist way back during the 1980s. Since then, there has been no looking back for this highly talented artist. All of his works are extremely amusing and it is almost as though he exudes his own personality via his works. Banksy canvas art is symbolic of society as a whole, its politics and corruption, hypocrisy, culture as well as ethical aspects. Therefore, he plays the part of making paintings to show the satirical side of society. His main method of art is through usage of stencils. His quality of stencil work is so superb and of such high quality that all of his paintings are revered throughout the world. It is almost as though he took up painting as a career to create art. Unlike so many other artists who are always looking for an interview or publicity, Banksy lets his paintings do all the talking. He does not have exhibitions in galleries or sell any of his graffiti works.

His foray into art

The works of several noted local artists such as Tes and Kato heavily influenced Banksy. These influences can be seen even today in some of the Banksy canvas art. The underground movement in Bristol was almost like a mini-revolution of sorts. Banksy interned under the tutelage of noted artists like Tes and Kato. It was between 1992 and 1994 that he drew freehand and trained under these artists. Subsequently, Banksy made huge graffiti works on the walls of London, just alongside works from Inkie. Incidentally, Inkie was a highly reputed graffiti artist and was considered a legend of sorts. Several noted that Banksy canvas art works include that of ‘walls on fire’, which was followed by a long event during the weekend, that celebrated the genius of Banksy and other local artists across Ohio and UK.

Stencil techniques

One of the most prominent features about any Banksy canvas art is that stencil techniques have been used. Using stencils expedited his works and this was what made Banksy choose this mode of drawing. However, the stencil techniques used by him are unique compared to other artists. The combination of funny images and striking slogans make any Banksy canvas art truly unique and attractive.

No boundaries

When it comes to being different and showing true versatility as an artist, Banksy has outshined all his contemporaries. Every piece of Banksy canvas art is reminiscent of unique, challenging artwork. He has even used animals as his media for his paintings. His usage of bold colours, attractive slogans and bright imagery has transformed his works into revolutionary pieces. In short, when it comes to groundbreaking art, spectacular images and powerful messages as well as reflection of social life, Banksy canvas art outshines other art forms.




By: Luke Wildman

The Increasing Vandalism of Banksy Canvas Art

December 3rd, 2009

One can never put a price on an authentic Banksy canvas art form. Yet it seems that an increasing number of online auction sites are capitalising on this opportunity to make huge sales online. The main reason for this is due to the increasing vandalism of his works.

Destroying partially and fully

Banksy canvas art has always been categorised within the Graffiti Art segment. However, this is a tag put forth by persons who dislike his work. These could be anyone from his peers, who do not like the media attention showered on Banksy’s works or anyone from society, who dislikes the messages in his paintings. Many times, a Banksy canvas art piece has been partially destroyed with roller paint. At other times, the entire piece has been chipped off or damaged completely. Thus, in such cases, the work is irretrievably damaged. No rectification work can revive this painting. Given the fact that an increasing number of such paintings are being destroyed these days, Banksy canvas art is becoming more of a rarity.

A rare piece

In recent times, unscrupulous individuals have destroyed many pieces of Banksy canvas art. Often, the painting is destroyed within a few days of the work painted. This has resulted in many opportunistic people who post pictures of his works online on popular auction sites just to get money from the sale. Since Banksy canvas art is becoming such a rarity, it is natural that admirers of his artwork are lapping up any last pieces of a destroyed work. There have been many times, when the price of a destroyed Banksy painting was close to 150000 to 200000 pounds! Celebrities of the likes of Christina Aguilera have purchased several of his paintings. It is almost as though having a Banksy canvas art painting in your home is like a status symbol.

Pieces destroyed

In recent times, some of the prominent Banksy canvas art paintings destroyed include the ‘little diver’, ‘chalk farm maid’ and the ‘mild mild west’ painting. These three paintings have received some of the highest amounts of praise from people across the world. In the case of ‘little diver,’ the painting was destroyed when the protective acrylic glass was damaged. The painting was estimated to be over 400000 pounds in worth, The Banksy canvas art painting called ‘chalk farm maid’ was destroyed using whitewash. People speculate that rival graffiti artists destroyed his work. In fact, the destroyed piece even had a message written in red, which read ‘all the best – vida’. The ‘mild mild west’ painting was destroyed because of splattering red paint all over the work.

Sad but true

It is a fact that individuals are destroying many a Banksy canvas art consistently across London. However, what is sad is that these paintings are not just graffiti. These represent society with a powerful message hidden in them. What is sadder is the fact that instead of replacing the painting with another beautiful image, all that is left is a coat of red paint or whitewash. This is what has appalled the people of London tremendously.




By: Luke Wildman

All About Banksy Canvas Art Styles

November 1st, 2009

Banksy is a powerful name in the world of modern art. Banksy canvas art is so bold and stylistic in its approach that it is called Graffiti art. Banksy himself has never made any obvious public appearances although his work speaks volumes on his behalf.

The recluse

Banksy has always chosen to remain rather elusive. His work is often seen on the streets and bylanes of London. He chooses his subjects as common as the ordinary man to extraordinary concepts like social tyranny, poverty, injustice, corruption and several other concepts. Hardly anyone in London can actually claim to have seen the famous artist in action, although some passers-by may have been lucky enough to see him at work. He chooses his work timings carefully so that very few people get to see him. Based originally out of Yate, which is close to Bristol, Banksy uses freehand forms and stencils as his tools for these works.

Witty and prolific

Most of the banksy canvas art forms can best be described as witty and thoroughly sarcastic. Banksy makes sure to adorn bridges, walls, zoos as well as several other media across London as the media for his works. Almost every painting of his is a reflection of the culture, politics, ethics and other aspects of London society, which often borders on satire. There is tremendous irony in his works and this is one reason banksy canvas art is so popular with people of all age groups.

Attractive imagery

Most of the banksy canvas art has very attractive images on them. His technique of using stencils is truly unique and it is one reason all of his paintings stand out from the works of other artists. All of his paintings convey a message, usually a moral one reflecting anti-war, pro-freedom, anti-capitalistic and anti-establishment sentiments. Thus, common people of London and across the world find his paintings to speak a universal message. These paintings are something people can easily relate to. It comes as no surprise then that everyone appreciates them and yearns for more banksy canvas art works from the artist.

Subjects

The banksy canvas art subjects are wide and varied. The subjects of his paintings could be anything from a monkey, a rat, an elder child, soldiers, police officers to anything or anyone else. Animals are the subjects of his paintings quite often. Banksy is not a one-dimensional artist. His versatility as an artist can be seen from the fact that he even makes sculptors as well as designs his own stickers. Banksy’s works are so popular that celebrities such as Christina Aguilera and the like have bought his paintings. Once, Banksy even sold a painting called the ‘space girl and the bird’ for a huge amount of 288,000 pounds. Though a banksy canvas art is always bound to attract controversy, it is also a fact that its popularity has resulted in several art books being published. These include famous books such as ‘cut it out’, ‘banging your head against a brick wall’ and the like.




By: Luke Wildman