The theme: graffiti art
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Artist #1: “Banksy” is the name of a famous graffiti artist whose real identity was unknown until about one month ago. He is an English graffiti artist, political activist, film director, and painter. One month ago, the famous Banksy was arrested and identified as Paul Horner. Horner has been a long-time fugitive for his graffiti work since it is against the law in London.
Another graffiti artist known as Space Invader said, “He’s just doing art, spreading joy and making political statements the best way he knows how. I do not agree with his arrest or with the outing of his identity.” What do you think? Should the police have arrested him and made his identity known to the public?
Piece #1: “Flower Thrower” by Banksy in Jerusalem 2003
This piece blurred the lines between vandalism and art while making a political statement. This graffiti mimics a rioter with a bouquet of flowers in place of his molotov cocktail. Take a look at the picture below taken in Ferguson, Missouri during one of the many riots this year (please note that the photographer is unknown and Paul Horner did not take this picture.)
Do you see the similarities between a real life rioter and a graffiti representation of a rioter? The substitute of the flowers for a weapon portrays peace and hope in place of destruction. Banksy wishes to make the statement “throw peace, not bombs”.
Piece #2: “I Don’t Believe in Global Warming” by Banksy in Camden, North London 2009
Some say Banksy is the spokesman of this generation. Who do people listen to? Global Warming is a highly controversial topic, and it does not matter what your opinion on it is because Banksy sees it as a problem, which needs more attention. This piece is a highly sarcastic and one of the most understood pieces by Banksy.
Piece #3: “Moblie Lovers” by Banksy in Bristol, United Kingdom 2014
We see people out on dates these days who are more interested in what’s on their phone rather than the person they are on a date with. This piece is about love, but love for our phones, not each other. The glow you see is from their smart phones and not from all the romance in the air. Banksy’s piece is a witty reminder of how technology invades our everyday lives, even the most intimate moments.
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Artist #2: “Above” is a street artist who has chosen to keep his real identity concealed. He was born in California in 1981 and started creating public art since 1995. Above is known for his color and full social and political stencils. His artworks usually have a strong message or awareness about social, political or international current events. In the past 16 years, Above has painted artworks in the streets of over 100 cities and in 60 different countries around the world.
Piece #1: “Giving to the Poor” by Abvoe in Lisbon, Portugal 2008
This work of art addresses the issue of homelessness. Above is quoted on his website, “Every day I walked by this bank ATM machine and this particular homeless woman was sitting in the same place every day begging for money. I found it sadly ironic that just six feet away from here there were people lining up to withdraw money. The obvious social and economic clash inspired me to make this piece.” You can see the ATM machine to the left and the homeless woman to the right sitting on her belongings.
Piece #2: “Characters” by Above in Havana, Cuba 2010
Cuba is less than 90 miles away from Haiti, making them very close neighbors. The young and courageous character is setting on a voyage to Haiti to help out those who were victim to the earthquakes in Haiti, which took over 230,000 lives, wounded 300,000 and made 1,200,000 people homeless. Notice Above’s signature in the upper right corner of the work.
Piece #3: Celebrity Arrows by Above in Sydney, Australia 2011
In 2010, Above lost his brother due to an accidental car crash just 3 months before 2011 when Above flew to Sydney, Australia for his first solo show titled Here Today, Gone Tomorrow in light of his brother’s recent passing. Above translated his theme of living life to the fullest into his artworks by making large wooden arrows with a collage and printed image of a celebrity that had died at an early age.
Graffiti artists use their skills to grab attention, bring light to social and political issues, remember those we have lost, and just to fulfill their inner desire to make the world more beautiful by spreading art.
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Works Cited:
Rubics, Darius. “Graffiti Artist Banksy Arrested In London; Identity Revealed.” National Report RSS. N.p., 20 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://nationalreport.net/banksy-arrested-identity-revealed/>.
McCormick, Megan. “Banksy’s Newest Mural Delivers A Powerful Message About Love, But Not In The Way You’d Expect.” Distractify. N.p., 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://news.distractify.com/culture/arts/new-banksy/>.
“Above (artist).” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Above_(artist)#A_chronological_list_of_Above.27s_travels_and_artworks>.
Appreciating the Arts 
Interesting read. There is a problem I see with gaffiti when it gets out of hand and contains many crude things that I would not want my toddler to see or if it were my business or property that was to be used for the graffiti without my permission. I do like the graffiti in the first pic done my Bansky, and I am sure that from a political perspective they felt it was a good decision to arrest him, but I personally as an outsider enjoy seeing good graffiti art. I like the ‘man with a gun giving the money to the poor lady as well. Although I do believe that some people who panhandle certainly need the doe. There are many others that use this to make money on a permanent basis. That is simply crazy and simply dishonest especially when they hold signs up that say “broke”, or “starving” when in fact they can make MUCH money. And in that case by no means does that make people at atm machines obligated to hand over their money. I have been to atms years ago and pulled out money which happened to be the last couple dollars in my account to be able to buy my own food. So you can see that did not mean I had money. Well… had, maybe..
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