Banksy

Banksy is the pseudonym of an English-based graffiti artist known for his politically themed and often controversial graffiti. He is also a popular political activist and film director who in spite of creating several well-known works of art manages to conceal his true identity. His art has been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world making him a famous international figure. Known for his cheeky, witty, and sometimes hard-hitting works of social and political commentary, he has revolutionized the world of contemporary art. He is best known for his distinctive stenciling technique and striking images which commonly feature subjects such as rats, apes, policemen, members of the royal family, and children. Banksy started out as a freehand graffiti artist in the 1990s and initially worked as a part of the larger Bristol underground scene with Nick Walker, Inkie and 3D. Eventually he gained fame as an independent artist as his works became more widely noticed. He displays his art on publicly visible surfaces and is well-known for his use of copyrighted material and subversion of classic images. He is also a film director and his first film, ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary.