Banksy

The anonymous graffiti artist known as Banksy is perhaps the most controversial street artist of today. He is famous for his stenciled graffiti works, which appear in public spaces around the world. His use of stenciling developed from a need to complete a work quickly, namely, to avoid being caught vandalizing by police. Banksy often uses multi-layered stencils to employ multiple colors, and he frequently incorporates permanent environmental fixtures, such as street signs and architectural elements, into his work. Marked by dark humor, satire, and political commentary, much of his street art has become viral on the Internet.

Despite his stealth presence, Banksy has become a mainstream phenomenon. Although Banksy has continuously emphasized an aversion to the art world through his output, he also produces traditional works on canvas and prints as well as branded merchandise such as t-shirts. His cultural significance, widespread popularity, and, certainly, the mystery of his identity have all contributed to the desirability of his art.^[1]

Watch this video to see how Banksy pulled a shocking stunt with the sale of his print Girl with a Balloon.

One of Banksy’s most recent works was painted on a house in Borodyanka, Ukraine that was destroyed when the Russians invaded in 2022. The mural depicts a young boy flipping a man resembling Russian president Vladimir Putin in a judo match. To mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion and to promote the country’s resistance, Ukraine issued a postage stamp in February 2023 featuring Banksy’s image.