Banksy – the urban hero of street art

Banksy – the urban hero of street art

In 2013, my long-standing wish to spend Christmas in Israel finally came true. However, my timing was less than ideal. I arrived in Tel Aviv just three weeks after the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, completely alone and with plans to visit Palestine during my two weeks in the Middle East. Despite this, my experience in Bethlehem inspired me to dedicate this story to the captivating artist Banksy, who has become one of today’s most influential street artists, contributing significantly to the popularity of graffiti.

Banksy cites the British band Massive Attack as an inspiration for his work, but the artist who had the most influence on his style was the French graffiti master Blek Le Rat. Banksy was inspired not only by Blek Le Rat’s political ideas and attitudes but also by his work mode, which combined graffiti with the stencil technique that made Banksy famous and globally recognizable.

His works feature central figures such as police officers, monkeys, children, and the elderly, but his most recognizable figure is the rat, which has somehow become Banksy’s trademark. Rather than using canvas, he defends the walls of buildings and streets, which is strictly forbidden. Despite this, his works provoke reactions and draw attention to political and social problems.

Banksy’s ideas and ways of promoting his work are incredibly original. In 2004, he printed banknotes worth 10 pounds, replacing the image of the Queen with a picture of Princess Diana and the Bank of England inscription with “Banksy of England.” He threw a larger pile of these banknotes into a crowd during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, and although they could not be used in local stores, they were sold for up to 200 pounds per piece on eBay.

In 2006, he tried to draw attention to the problem of global poverty by including a live elephant painted with pink and golden colors at an exhibition in Los Angeles. During another exhibition, he released live rats among the visitors.

Banksy was already famous in certain circles when his works began selling for large amounts. In an auction in 2006, prices reached tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pounds per piece, even five times higher than expected. His success increased interest in other street artists as well.

Although he works mainly on the walls of buildings, public institutions, and streets, auction houses still manage to sell them for a tremendous amount of money. For instance, a married couple who allowed Banksy to draw on the wall of their mobile home sold it for 500,000 pounds, a significant increase from the 1,000 pounds they paid for it.

Banksy in Palestine

Banksy’s works are now found in many cities worldwide, including Bethlehem, where several are located on the wall separating Israel from Palestine. The Palestinian wall was built by the Israelis in 2002 to protect against potential terrorist attacks, but it is often viewed as a barrier that separates and discriminates against people based on their faith and nationality. Banksy painted the Palestinian wall and several buildings in Bethlehem on several occasions, starting in 2005, to show his political stance right in that place. His works in Palestine sent a clear anti-war message, using children as the main heroes to show how regional tensions and conflicts impact innocent lives. A pigeon wearing a bulletproof vest with a target highlights the instability of peace in the region. With scissors and a broken line, his work suggests the simplest solution to end the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine: cut the wall.

Banksy opened the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem to attract more tourists, just a few meters from the wall. Though under strict Israeli army control, it’s safe and welcoming for visitors worldwide. The hotel features the artist’s works, including his controversial mural of an Israeli soldier and a masked Palestinian fighter having a pillow fight.

Banksy’s influence on art and culture is undeniable, as he has transformed graffiti from vandalism into a legitimate form of artistic expression. His works have inspired countless other street artists, and his popularity has led to the rise of street art tourism, with fans traveling far and wide to catch a glimpse of his works.

He has remained anonymous despite his fame, using pseudonyms and disguises to conceal his identity. This has only added to the allure of his art, as fans are left to speculate about the identity of the elusive artist.

Banksy’s works are visually captivating and carry powerful political and social messages. His works on the Palestinian wall in Bethlehem have become symbols of hope and resistance, and his influence on the world of street art cannot be overstated. He has proven that art can be a powerful tool for social commentary and change, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations.

That is all for now. Hope you liked Banksy – the urban hero of street art. To read more about Palestine, click HERE.

XOXO