Banksy's Hidden Messages

Banksy’s Hidden Messages

Banksy is famous for his style of graffiti that reveal hidden messages about current world issues. Banksy’s art desperately tries to make people that live in first world societies think about limitations, restrictions placed on us that we ignore on a daily basis.

Banksy. “If Graffiti Changed Anything.” Stencil Revolution. N.p., n.d. Web. Apr. 2011. <http://www.stencilrevolution.com/banksy-art-prints/if-graffiti-changed-anything/>.

Banksy’s street art If Graffiti Changed Anything shows the words “if graffiti changed anything it would be illegal” written in bright red dripping paint. Banksy’s signature rat is looking back at the words with his one paw covered in red paint. The rat represents people that feel misunderstood and powerless in society. Banksy uses sarcasm to help capture his viewers attention, graffiti is illegal which reveals the hidden message that graffiti can change something. It shows how one person expressing themselves can lead to other people realizing the problems we have within our society. This painting is demonstrating how our laws restrict us from seeing the real issues. This is what I believe Banksy wants us to think about when we see his painting, he hopes it lights a spark in all of us to stand up for what we believe and that change is misunderstood. Banksy addresses our cruel laws and restricted freedom that we choose to ignore. For example, graffiti is vandalism and therefore our freedom of expression is limited.

Banksy. “Government’s Property.” Tumblr. N.p., n.d. Web. 2011. <http://40.media.tumblr.com/c09bf7201d6eee849da6613d27467a87/tumblr_n9ntj6kHR51sn7rcoo1_500.jpg>.

Banksy’s street art Government’s Property shows a girl in black and white that has just commit suicide by shooting herself in the head. Where her head is supposed to be there is a splash of red paint to look like blood.This red paint then turns into red butterflies. Next to the girl the words “Suicide is illegal because its a crime to destroy government property” are written in red. The butterflies symbolize freedom from the government. This is because Bansky clearly believes that the government considers people its property. This picture symbolizes that laws and government of her society once owned her life and by destroying herself she became free from limitations. Bansky again makes us realize an issue we've been ignoring and that issue is how controlled our society is by politics.

Banksy. “Follow Your Dreams.” Stencil Revolution. N.p., n.d. Web. 2010. <http://www.stencilrevolution.com/banksy-art-prints/follow-your-dreams/>.

Banksy’s piece of street art Follow Your Dreams involves a male painter that looks worn down and tired, he is standing beside the words “FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS” that are written in black uppercase letters. Over top of those words are the words “CANCELLED”  written in white, all uppercase lettering in a rectangle box with a red background. This picture signifies that the desire of one’s dreams has been cancelled. The viewer is subjected to a harsh reality that the limitations within society can have a large impact on one’s decisions, future, and life. I think Banksy meant this piece to be controversial. This shows how the realization that your dreams can not be fulfilled is very disappointing and abrupt.  

Banksy offers a challenging view and makes you question if the people in charge of our society are a threat rather than our shield. Personally, I find it interesting that Banksy doesn't sign his work. In a way this art becomes the public’s art. Banksy is inspiring us to realize the reality that we are no longer free to follow our dreams. If the public, us, take some ownership of this piece, it gives us the power to remove the cancelled sign on our lives and create a new reality.

Banksy. “If At First You Don’t Succeed.” Stencil Revolution. N.p., n.d. Web. 2015. <http://www.stencilrevolution.com/banksy-art-prints/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-call-airstike/>.

Banksy’s graffiti If At First You Don't Succeed shows a boy with a gas mask and beside him the words “If at first you don’t succeed - call an airstrike” written in red. This image is criticizing the way our government handles many issues. It seems as though the first world countries are always trying to dominate the others and intimidate them with weapons. Banksy is demonstrating that most conflicts the government is faced with are solved with threats and violence. This image is directed at the United states because political parties as well as some citizens are best known for being in love with the idea of war. Banksy has revealed how blind we are to the horror within our societies through graffiti. It also comments on how, although not all people agree with the way that our government handles things, we blindly follow the government as this is another example of how we are powerless in society.
In conclusion, all four images demonstrate that Banksy’s art desperately tries to make people that live in first world societies think about limitations, restrictions placed on us that we ignore on a daily basis.