Banksy Art
Of the numerous feats that Banksy has accomplished over the course of his career as an international artist, activist and filmmaker, perhaps the most astonishing is that while he is among the most famous figures in street art, he has managed to remain completely anonymous.
There is a method behind the madness, however. Banksy maintains that he chooses to conceal his identity to make a more democratic impact with his work, the themes of which include criticism of world leaders, consumerism and terrorism.
Although not much is known about Banksy — he sent a photo of himself with a paper bag on his head to Time magazine for a profile — it is believed that he was born in the city of Bristol, in southwest England, circa 1974. Wit, irreverence, dark humor and activism come together in his work, which spans graffiti, paintings, prints, sculptures and filmmaking. (His film, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which focuses on another street artist known as Mr. Brainwash, was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2010 Academy Awards.)
Banksy began as a graffiti artist in his hometown in the early 1990s. He has found fame for his stenciled and spray-painted pieces, which are most often rooted in anti-war or antiestablishment messaging, appearing in cities such as London, New York and Los Angeles and for his “stunts” that are intended to subvert and provoke the art world. One particularly memorable stunt took place in 2018, when, as soon as one of his paintings sold at auction — Girl with a Balloon, which fetched an extraordinary $1.4 million — it self-destructed and proceeded to partially shred itself. Banksy even snuck into the Louvre and hung his own version of the Mona Lisa in 2006. Despite his elusive persona and commitment to bringing art to the masses, Banksy is one of the most coveted artists at auctions across the world.
And his work is undeniably impactful.
At a record-breaking auction organized by Damien Hirst, Bono and others to benefit AIDS charities in 2008, Banksy’s Keep It Spotless — a modified Hirst painting — fetched nearly $2 million. In May of 2020, Banksy donated Game Changer, a painting that honors UK healthcare workers, to Southampton General Hospital. When it went to auction in 2021, it sold for more than $23 million at Christie's in London. All proceeds went to the National Health Service.
Find original Banksy art for sale on 1stDibs.
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Concrete
Early 2000s Street Art Banksy Art
Cardboard
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Archival Paper, Screen
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Banksy Art
Screen
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Banksy Art
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Banksy Art
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21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Banksy Art
Screen, Board
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Banksy Art
Paper
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Fabric, Textile, Jute, Plastic, Rubber
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Banksy Art
Screen
Early 2000s Street Art Banksy Art
Lithograph
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Wood
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Fabric, Cord, Organic Material, Found Objects, Mixed Media, Mesh
Early 2000s Contemporary Banksy Art
Screen
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Lithograph
2010s Street Art Banksy Art
Lithograph
2010s Contemporary Banksy Art
Wood
Early 2000s Street Art Banksy Art
Offset, Lithograph, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art Banksy Art
Color
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Banksy Art
Offset
2010s Contemporary Banksy Art
Lithograph
2010s Contemporary Banksy Art
Screen
Early 2000s Street Art Banksy Art
Spray Paint
2010s Contemporary Banksy Art
Lithograph
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art Banksy Art
Screen
Banksy art for sale on 1stDibs.
Artists Similar to Banksy
- Is Damien Hirst Banksy?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024No one knows if Damien Hirst is Banksy. By working in out-of-the-way locations, wearing disguises and enlisting the help of a team of support personnel to assist him, the street artist Banksy has managed to successfully conceal his identity. Some people do suspect that Damien Hirst may be the person behind the Banksy persona due to collaborations between the two. The Daily Mail newspaper identified Robin Gunningham as Banksy during the 2010s, but no one has ever confirmed that the Bristol, UK, native is the street artist. Other people believe that the street artist 3D may be Banksy. Find a diverse assortment of Banksy art on 1stDibs.
- Can I buy a Banksy?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Yes, you can buy Banksy. Although much of the artist's work is street art, prints and posters of many of his pieces have been produced. You can purchase them from galleries and art dealers, as well as from trusted online platforms like 1stDibs. Shop a diverse assortment of Banksy art on 1stDibs.
- How is Banksy still anonymous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Banksy is still anonymous because of a couple of reasons. For one thing, the street artist often wears masks, disguises and costumes to prevent people from identifying him while he works. In addition, his stencil style allows him to produce works quickly, so he can often finish before anyone spots him. His tendency to choose out-of-the-way locations also benefits him, and there is an extensive team that handles media inquiries, art sales and other matters on his behalf to help conceal his identity. On 1stDibs, find a range of Banksy art.