There is something that seems to be particularly compelling or exciting about something that is unknown. That is exactly the feeling Banksy gives us when he unveils his work.
Banksy has become so famous because of the illusion and mystery that surrounds him. Although this is not the only reason for his success, arguably it is a massive part of it.
Why is Banksy so popular?
As we have just explored, there is more we do not know about Banksy than we do know. People are drawn to mystery and that is why he is a household name now. However, it is a combination of his mystery factor, artistic talent and often political pieces that makes Banksy so popular.
His career really took off with his very first large mural, which was named The Mild Mild West. Banksy originally painted this artwork in Bristol over an advertisement of a former solicitors’ office. It took only three days to paint and was created in 1999.
The artwork depicts a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at three riot police officers. It is said that Banksy was originally inspired by an event at Winterstoke Road, where a large gathering was held. The party was raided by riot police and people were attacked while at the rave.
Is Banksy’s art ‘real art’?
Technically all art is open to interpretation. What you may like as a piece of art may not be the same as what someone else likes as a piece of art. Banky’s work is certainly not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. However, Banksy is one of the most famous modern artists of the time, and his art is often there to make a political statement. In fact, prints of his artwork can be sold for huge sums of money. Also, because Banksy’s art is not always ambiguous and difficult to read into, this makes it more accessible to the ordinary person. So in short, yes, Banksy’s art is ‘real art.’
What is Banksy’s most famous piece of art?
Banksy’s most famous piece of art ever made is the Girl With The Balloon. You might not recognise the name, but you will most likely recognise the artwork. The work depicts a young girl standing in windy weather and she is attempting to reach a balloon that has flown away. The original Girl With The Balloon was done on Waterloo Bridge and since then it has become one of the most recognisable pieces of art in the world.
Does Banksy have any social media accounts?
Banksy has as many social media accounts as the next man. Starting with his Instagram, this has over eleven million followers and this is the place where he usually takes the credit for his designs. So if you’ve seen a mural in your town or city that looks in Banksy’s usual stencilled style, the first place to look is his Instagram. This way you will know whether it was actually him or not.
Who is Banksy?
Banky’s name or identity has never been officially revealed or confirmed. This only adds to the uniqueness of his art. We know that Banksy is a street artist, but other than that, we don’t know much about him at all.
In fact, in 2014 Banksy actually lost his EU trademark for his Love Is In The Air artwork. This is because he refused to go to court as he did not want to risk the public seeing his real identity. His decision could leave other pieces of his work without a trademark. This does demonstrate how important it is for Banksy to keep his anonymity.
So, how famous is Banksy really?
What we hope you have learnt from this article is that Banksy is pretty famous. According to a survey from My Art Broker, 67% of people agree that Banksy is a national treasure and that he’s up there with the Royal family and the Church of England. Banksy’s political artwork, humble beginnings and air of mystery all make him one of the most famous artists of our time. Chances are, if you walk past one of Banksy’s murals in a city, you will most likely know he is responsible for it, which makes him pretty famous.