Key facts about Banksy
This is a photograph of a piece of graffitiArt that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view.. It is by the world-famous British artist Banksy.
Banksy does not like people to know their identitySomeone's identity is who they are. so they make their art in secret, even though it is often in busy places.
Their work is often about war, politics and other issues that they think are important.
Banksy鈥檚 work encourages people to think about things that affect their lives and consider whether they think something in societySociety is the way human beings live together. is right or wrong.
One of Banksy's well-known pieces is called Sweep it Under the Carpet and was made in 2006 on a wall in London.
It shows a maid sweeping dirt under the cover of a brick wall. It's thought that Banksy painted it to show how he feels some countries ignore serious issues elsewhere in the world.
Watch: Who is Banksy?
Banksy and stencilling
Banksy uses a technique called stencilling to make their art . They use spray paints to create the design on walls, trains, street signs and bridges
Stencils are created by cutting out a design from thin plastic or card. Paint is then applied through the stencil onto the surface behind.
Banksy created a stencil beforehand to make spray painting the walls quicker and easier. They were also able to produce several, identical versions of the same image by using this technique.
You may have used stencils such as alphabet stencils before. You could try making your own stencil using scissors and a paintbrush to create your design. If you have a responsible adult to help you then you could try using a special cutting tool called a scalpel. This can be used to cut your design out of a thin piece of plastic or card.
Remember to always have permission to paint on a surface before you do!
Banksy's factfile
Activity
Did you know?
- Banksy was inspired by the work of French graffiti artist Blek Le Rat.
- The word graffiti comes from the Greek word 'graphein' which means 'to write'.
- Banksy once painted the words we鈥檙e bored of fish in the penguin enclosure at London Zoo.
- Although Banksy鈥檚 identity is unknown, we do know they were born in Bristol in England.
- Even though some graffiti is illegalAn action which is against the law. because it is done without permission, some graffiti is commissionedInvited and paid for by the owner of a building or area..
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