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| laist.com Who is 'Banksy'? Nobody knows. Well, obviously someone does but the general public don't. (Actually he is Robert Banks from Bristol). He is a British grafitti artist who has taken the form to a new level. This picture, informally, known as 'Banksy's Maid' is a piece of trompe l'oeil ('trick the eye') painted on a London wall and sinced removed or you might prefer the term 'destroyed by the Authorities'. His stuff is usually humorous and often bitingly political and always very skilled and expertly executed. But he is a bad boy because he uses public spaces - you generally don't see his work hanging in galleries. He is a people's artist in the truest sense of the word.  |
"Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice."
Gabriel Garcia Marquez: "One Hundred Years of Solitude"
Friday, 3 December 2010
Painting of the Month (12): December 2010, Banksy
Hi Bazza,
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued! Am now on my way to see what Mr. Google and Ms. Bing can give me on Banksy. I can't wait! Yay for to discover ice!
Hi Snee. Now you're making me blush.
ReplyDeleteI was going to make a link to other Banksy stuff but I realised that my sophisticated readers would have the skill to find it for themselves!
Also, I forgot to add a final sentence explaining the second picture but it self-evidently is a pair of gay London policeman.
Naughty Banksy.
Hi bazza,
ReplyDeleteBanksy is indeed an artist! I particularly like the maid, it is incredibly realstic, looks like the coyote from Roadrunner could learn a thing or two!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES
I’ve got a lot of time for graffiti. It’s like Facebook, only on real walls. The one with the maid is very clever.
ReplyDeleteThe enigmatic, masked blogger
Hello John: I'm sorry but the road runner reference has gone over my head! Oh, wait a minute, he used trompe l'oeil to fool his enemy's. Is that right?
ReplyDeleteHi Mask: I like the Facebook reference although graffiti artists are usually anonymous. It's a real shame that this picture no longer exists except photographically. I believe that in some cases whole walls have been removed to preserve a painting.
Hi bazza,
ReplyDeleteI heard heard a lot about this Banksy dude and I quite like his art.
I remember that 'graffiti' got a bit out of hand, in Vancouver. So, they set up a designated area outside the court house, of all places, for graffiti artists to display their work.
Have a good weekend and stay warm.
Hello Gary. The problem with the Vancouver scheme is that it takes away the 'naughty' element and thus the thrill for your average graffiti artist. It looks ugly written all over railway trains and places like that.
ReplyDeleteHowever Banksy is the exception in being a really skilled artist or, as you say, a 'dude'.
Hi B
ReplyDeleteI decided to put a little on this blog too cause I really like the art work and will endeveour to look the guy up
cheers
I love great graffiti and hate it when it gets removed. A big improvement on an ugly brick wall I say.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Banksy with us. Glad I found your site through Nefertit.:)
Dear bazza,
ReplyDeleteI like Banksy's work and I think he has genuine talent. Unlike some "conceptual" modern art, I like the fact that what he is trying to say is always made very clear and it is always cleverly done.
Thanks, bazza, for highlighting one of our most talented artists.
Yours With Very Best Wishes,
David.
Hello Kerrie, thanks for visiting. I will return the compliment soon.
ReplyDeleteL'Aussie: Welcome, I'll have to visit your place too. By the way how's the cricket going?
David: Once again, I am pleasantly surprised at the ammount of appreciation there is for Banksy's work. I really thought he would be ridiculed here. You will notice that it didn't stop me from posting!
Ah, a graffiti artist. There's a load of that type around here. Not as artistic, though. I bet the British cops were happy to see that last painting. I guess those are British cops kissing each other. Correct me if I'm wrong. Eh, never mind... I just saw the reply you made to THE SNEE. If you should happen to see Banksy, tell him to come over here and paint our buildings' walls. :) We need better graffiti artists. Take it easy, bazza and keep away from the egg nog. I might have "spiked it".
ReplyDeleteoooo... i'm now off to click and find more more more... (again)
ReplyDeleteKelly: You are the first to mention the gay London policemen.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen any kissing cops around here (London suburbs).
joanne: Apparently he has done some work in LA and in New Orleans. Hope you enjoy what you discover, Joanne.
I like!
ReplyDeleteKate: Me pleased!
ReplyDeleteThanks for broadening my horizons again Bazza.
ReplyDeleteHello Rob, it's always good to hear from you. Your blog is missed (by me, at least).
ReplyDeleteI don't believe Banksy has graced the crumbling walls of Oxford with his work yet. Amazingly his art has become so sought after that walls are stolen rather than scrubed these days!
I've said it before Bazza and I will say it again: When it comes to art you need look no further than Sir Rolf Harris.
ReplyDeleteAnd what is more he paints on canvas, not brick. Clever chap, so he is!
Yes, Sir Tom, and you will probably say it yet again before long.
ReplyDeleteI dare say you would like the art of one Thomas Kinkade one of America's most collected artists and a painter of kitsch.
And how exactly would you define 'kitsch', old boy?
ReplyDeleteKitsch = low art posing as high art, Sir Tom!
ReplyDeleteDid you see The Apprentice last night Bazza? On their London bus tour one of the candidates happened to stumble across a possible Banksy painting on a brick wall. It did look like a Banksy to my untutored eye, but I'd interested to know for sure.
ReplyDeleteI like that one of the maid sweeping up. What a shame it was removed.
joanne: Yes I did! And I had exactly the same thought. He does have a recognisable style. Let's hope they are now known for what their true value is and not removed (or stolen!)
ReplyDeleteWhy on earth would somebody destroy that?! It was beautiful! The philistines! What's wrong with having lovely art brightening up a boring old wall?
ReplyDeleteGo, Banksy, go! :)
(BTW, did you see the recent Onion headline about 'Banksy revealed to be London grandmother'?)
Hello Hira, welcome to the blog. I didn't see that Onion headline but there has been constant talk about his real identity being revealed. It would be wonderful if that satirical headline turned out to be true! But it won't.
ReplyDelete