Happy Monday friends!
Have you ever heard of Banksy?
Banksy is a street artist in England! He is what we call an anonymous artist, because no one really knows what he looks like, sounds like, or even his real name! His art appears overnight like magic in the streets of major cites all over the world. His art is spontaneous. Some even call it vandalism. Vandalism is action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property. Banksy has been described as a political activist, a person who supports a strong political cause, like anti-war or woman's rights.
His work is like graffiti, using paint on the sides of buildings, sidewalks and street. To do this, he first creates a stencil. This helps him get his work done quickly with less risk of being seen. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls and bridges of cities throughout the world. Banksy says that he was inspired by 3D, a graffiti artist and founding member of the musical group Massive Attack.
Banksy displays his art on publicly visible surfaces, such as walls and self-built physical prop pieces. He no longer sells photographs or reproductions of his street graffiti, but his public "installations" are regularly resold, often by removing the wall on which they were painted! Although a lot of his art is produced in public places, he usually only reveals that it's his after it has appeared on his social media.
A lot of his art is done in a particular style, which people can easily recognize.
Have you ever heard of Banksy?
Banksy is a street artist in England! He is what we call an anonymous artist, because no one really knows what he looks like, sounds like, or even his real name! His art appears overnight like magic in the streets of major cites all over the world. His art is spontaneous. Some even call it vandalism. Vandalism is action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property. Banksy has been described as a political activist, a person who supports a strong political cause, like anti-war or woman's rights.
His work is like graffiti, using paint on the sides of buildings, sidewalks and street. To do this, he first creates a stencil. This helps him get his work done quickly with less risk of being seen. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls and bridges of cities throughout the world. Banksy says that he was inspired by 3D, a graffiti artist and founding member of the musical group Massive Attack.
Banksy displays his art on publicly visible surfaces, such as walls and self-built physical prop pieces. He no longer sells photographs or reproductions of his street graffiti, but his public "installations" are regularly resold, often by removing the wall on which they were painted! Although a lot of his art is produced in public places, he usually only reveals that it's his after it has appeared on his social media.
A lot of his art is done in a particular style, which people can easily recognize.
This piece of a girl letting go of a heart-shaped balloon is one of Banksy's most famous artworks. Made using a stencil, it was originally painted onto the wall of a printing shop in Shoreditch in London in 2002. In 2017, it was voted the nation's favorite artwork! What do you notice about this artwork? What do you think it is painted on? What about the colors? Do you see any words in this photograph? How do you think the words and Banksy's artwork are related?
Street art and graffiti can be considered criminal damage, so in the beginning it's thought the artist stayed anonymous to keep out of trouble. Some of his work has been painted over as soon as it appeared, so people have to often be quick to see it in person! Sometimes his artworks are protected by plastic sheeting because many people want to protect it. But others question whether it is really "art" when graffiti artists are often charged with a crime when they paint in public spaces. One difference is Banksy, while anonymous, is very famous and his work is quite valuable! Sometimes people want to sell his art to raise money for a cause, while others think the works should be left to be enjoyed by others.
What do you think? Should Banksy get in trouble for his artwork, or should he be allowed to continue creating?
What do you think? Should Banksy get in trouble for his artwork, or should he be allowed to continue creating?
Banksy uses stencils to quickly create his work. He was influenced early by a French graffiti artist named Blek le Rat.
Blek le Rat is considered to be the father of "stencil graffiti" and people sometimes confuse the work of the two artists.
Blek le Rat is considered to be the father of "stencil graffiti" and people sometimes confuse the work of the two artists.
Can you make stencils at home? Let's try!
Here's what you need:
First, use your pencil to draw a simple outline for your stencil on your cardboard, card stock or paper plate. For your first one, try to think of something with little detail, like a cloud, apple or a star.
Next, get an adult's helps to cut this shape out! Your adult might choose to use something sharper than scissors, like an Excato blade. Make sure your adult is very careful!
Now that you have your stencil, let's try it out! Lay it over your paper. It might help to tape it down so it will stay still. Then, fill in the cut-out with paint! Start with just one color. When that is dry, you can add details!
- Piece of cardboard or card stock or paper plate
- Paper
- Scissors
- Painting materials
- Pencil
First, use your pencil to draw a simple outline for your stencil on your cardboard, card stock or paper plate. For your first one, try to think of something with little detail, like a cloud, apple or a star.
Next, get an adult's helps to cut this shape out! Your adult might choose to use something sharper than scissors, like an Excato blade. Make sure your adult is very careful!
Now that you have your stencil, let's try it out! Lay it over your paper. It might help to tape it down so it will stay still. Then, fill in the cut-out with paint! Start with just one color. When that is dry, you can add details!
