Banksy and Bristol – graffitied offices
Banksy and Bristol graffitied offices
Banksy and Bristol graffitied officesBristol may not be the culture capital of the world but it has given rise to prominent figures in the modern art scene like graffiti big-shot Banksy.
His true identity has never been confirmed but the underground artist is believed to be 34-year-old Bristolian Robin Gunningham, whose conquests include stencilling the wall of a London office space with an alleged portrait of himself and later selling other original pieces of his artwork for vast sums of celebrity money.
Secretly graffitied onto the walls of houses, car parks and offices, the works add interest and a cool edge to otherwise dull and unexciting spaces. The addition of a Banksy portrait can turn a forgotten location into a much visited place of interest and draw in both passers-by and art lovers wanting to see the contemporary creations in the flesh.
This works in contrast to the traditional view of graffiti as being the shared domain of activists and troubled teens who want to make a statement. Their painted handiwork often ends up being loathed by neighbourhood residents and workers who deem them as ugly additions to their clean streets.
Banksy's clever compositions have sequestered that old image and forged a new identity for the misunderstood art. His pieces still make a statement but his classy and well devised compositions attract rather than repel. Banksy's graffiti is believed to embellish instead of damage the aesthetic beauty of a cityscape.
Bristol office space might just benefit from the attention it receives from his spray-on creations if the graffiti mastermind decides to return to his native city.