11 Things You Didn’t Know About Banksy

Abhishek Kumar

Knowledge can be gained at any age. After having a detailed study on topics there are things unknown to us. So, we at Abirpothi present before you the lesser-known facts about artists around the world.

Banksy

“The art world is the biggest joke going. It’s a rest home for the overprivileged, the pretentious, and the weak. And modern art is a disgrace – never have so many people used so much stuff and taken so long to say so little.”

Banksy

Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world. Although his identity remains unknown, Banksy’s work is widely recognized and sought after by art collectors.

Banksy’s work often addresses political and social issues, such as war, capitalism, and the refugee crisis. He uses his art as a form of protest and to bring attention to these issues. His works often employ humor, irony, and satire, and they have been described as a visual commentary on contemporary society. Banksy’s style and imagery are recognizable and familiar, and they have been imitated and parodied by other artists. He has been credited with popularizing street art and bringing it into the mainstream.

Despite his anonymous identity, Banksy has become a cultural icon and a household name. He has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and exhibitions, and his works have sold for millions of dollars at auction. Banksy is known for his use of dark humor and satire, and his work has been described as a form of guerrilla art. He often creates his works in public spaces and on the sides of buildings, giving his art a rebellious and subversive edge. Overall, Banksy’s impact on the art world and his influence on contemporary culture are undeniable, and his work continues to challenge and inspire audiences around the world.

11 lesser-known facts about Banksy

1. In 2001, Banksy published a book called, ‘Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall‘ and In 2005, Banksy published a best-selling book “Wall and Piece.”
2. Despite his identity being anonymous, Banksy was named in the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2010.
3. In 2004, Banksy printed a series of spoof bank notes that featured Princess Diana’s face. Queen Elizabeth was removed and replaced by Diana. Instead of “Bank of England”, the note read “Banksy of England”.
4. His 2010 documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film also grossed $5,308,618 at the box office and featured fellow street-artists such as Shepard Fairey, Invader and Mr. Brainwash.

   

5. Banksy has a print company called ‘Pictures on Walls‘, which is funded by Gorillaz’ co-creator, Jamie Hewlett. He loves to paint on animals and exhibit them.
6. In 2010, Banksy actually did work on the opening credits on a Simpsons episode called ‘MoneyBart‘.
7. His charitable contributions go mainly to charities that help in the research of diseases of the eye and the restoration of sight to the blind.
8. Banksy has created a number of large-scale public installations, including a theme park called “Dismaland” in 2015.
9. In 2018, Banksy created a mural in one of the refugee camps in Calais, France, which was later destroyed by the French authorities.

   

10. In 2007, Banksy won the Art’s Greatest Living Briton prize, naturally he didn’t collect the prize in person, wishing to keep his identity secret.
11. He first painted under the name Robin Banx. As he experimented with styles of painting this evolved into Banksy, which had less of the gangster ‘robbing banks’ ring to it and was more memorable and easier to write.