Street art may be interpreted as nonsense, a violation of property or it could be seen as one of the most vibrant, influential, and media based form of communication in society. People may struggle to perceive street art to be a form of art, questioning its existence to give any significance at all.
(Trinity News, 2008) Street art is popular because people can view it while going about their daily activities. Surely enough street artists are voicing their opinions an+d are in turn prompting the audience to think differently about the world around them; particularly through their unique style of street art.Two well known street artists that have done precisely that are Banksy and SOLVE. Both artists have outreached their thoughts and views to be the new voice of the people. Banksy is an English graffiti artist whose identity and personal information remains anonymous, this also contributes to his popularity factor.
At first he utilized stencils, spray paint and roller paint as elements of his pieces. (Wikipedia, 2009) By using the walls of public streets as his canvas he has selected an environment that is tangible to a vast audience, even though it may also run a risk of being tampered with or even destroyed because of its easy access.Currently Banksy’s biggest; admission free showcase in the Bristol exhibition has become famously known. Amongst the original artefacts of the museum Banksy has ‘remixed’ its collection and has attracted much wanted attention, showing the power of art. (Davis, 2009) With his particular style of graffiti art he has invited and engaged a range of audience, certain types of audience that would otherwise feel dislocated in an environment such as an art gallery.
It gives a new and different atmosphere to the typical expectation of a gallery. By this act Banksy has already demonstrated his art with an intention of equality; bring a new experience to the gallery. As he had mentioned in reference to the exhibition, "I think we may have dragged them down to our level rather than being elevated to theirs..
. ” (BBC News, 2009)Within this gallery Banksy has put on display a vast range of his masterpiece demonstrating his values and observation as well as being the voice of the people.By investigating into his artworks, Banksy has utilized techniques such as humour and mockery; while also expressing political views and social justice. In one of Banksy artwork, ‘Frame’ is a great instance of how he makes a mockery of art through humour. This painting has been beautifully mounted on the wall just like any other well known art works in a gallery but within the painting contains nothing more than two simply drawn stick men.
As the two stick man in the painting says "Does anyone actually take this art seriously? The other replies, "Never underestimate the power of a big gold frame. " (Davis, 2009) By this Banksy is having a go at the justification of art, how there is no right or wrong way to admire art, and how by simply placing a gold frame around an artwork accents and manipulates the attention of viewers into immediately believing that the piece has sentimental value. In a sense Banksy speaks the true mind set of what some people actually perceive when people come in contact with art. In another one of his artworks displayed at the Bristol Museum is “I Hate Mondays! ” in the form of realism.
In this piece Banksy’s shows the social justice and the irony between people who are fortunate compared to people in poverty and how the definition of work is interpreted in the two worlds. The devastating image of the starving African children reminds the audience of the reality this world faces. As the shirt worn by the character reads ‘I hate Mondays! ’ demonstrates how we define work as being something we do five days a week, whereas for them it’s life and survival. (Davis, 2009)Banksy generates a strong voice through his art, similarly to him is another graffiti artist named SOLVE.
