Banksy graffitting all over the place should not be celebrated

[bitesthedust]

That is it really

If it was treated as a piece of street art, ok then, but now the policy and local authorities are protecting it, has it gone a bit too far?

Well you can’t expect me to be neutral on this thread 😂

Why is Banksy not hounded for causing criminal damage. Which is what this is essentially. Bizarre hypocrisy

Because it's generally up to the owner to report said damage?

Graffiti is criminal damage. Can be reported to police even if you’re not the owner. Two tier policing ?

Emperors New Clothes

I always thought "Give Peas a chance" on the M25 was a quality piece of art. 🤔

Shortly after Dermot Morgan died, "FATHER TED IS DEAD" appeared on a wall in Belfast. Below that somebody added "Long Live Father Jack".

I was in Derry for the maritime festival a while back and saw an artist hard at work on the mural of Amelia Earhart. He was so swift and assured it was like magic to watch the painting develop and the end result is fab.

Why are some posters saying he went to public school? I thought there was no definitive knowledge of who he is?

Because the of all the men it's been speculated are Banksy, it seems the most likely it is the man who went to public school.

Robin Gunningham - apparently a study of his movements match up with the locations and times of when Banksy art (graffiti if you will) appears.

Absolutely!

I bloody love Banksy.

I love Banksy, and anything that brightens up a rather grey world.

My favourite one in Bristol says "Whoever stole my anti-depressants, I hope you're happy"

Are you the same about adverts? Because they absolutely wallpaper our environments for no good reason, and no one asked our permission for that.

He doesn't do all the artwork himself surely? He must have assistants like Damian Hurst does? Banksy was innovative in his time but outdated now imo.

Does anyone actually know who he is?

Art is subjective and therefore will always be talked about.

Over twenty five years ago, we were moaning about Tracy Emin’s messy bed, well it made her millions and now she’s a Dame. Same with Damian Hirst and his pickled cow.

I can’t see either of those two as Art but clearly others do.

I tend to agree - I was mildly amused when it was reported someone had 'defaced' one of the pictures with more graffiti. I don't mind graffiti on the whole if is well done, but that's a subjective opinion - I might admire an elaborately spray-painted design on the side of a garage somewhere, but I recognise it for what it is - graffiti. I don't particularly agree with giving one artist an elevated status - either we say street art is a good thing in a wholesale way and allow it to flourish, or we don't - we shouldn't single out Banksy.

Apparently he's not bothered when one of his pieces is defaced - all adds to the counter culture image.

His work used to be great, now it's pretty rubbish- although nothing to say all of them are actually his! Or hers, not sure if it's ever been confirmed who they are?

@Marinade I’d love to know the last time anyone at all was arrested for graffiti!

Stuff was interesting years ago.

It’s boring now. The point was that it was supposed to feel anarchic but when it becomes a tourist spot instantly and the council immediately take measures to protect its value then it loses its art.

It feels like a crappy Councils tourism depts ‘summer challenge’, where you have to ‘spot’ the animals on your trail and tick off the sheet.

I quite like it, it's a bit of a talking point where I'm from - big art culture here. He's also supporting many amazing charities, good on him.

Wow, your username really suits you!

He just does stencils. It isn't art, it's a political statement. Like a cartoon in a newspaper
Boring and over-rated