Banksy is one of the most recognizable names in the art world today. In 2010, Time magazine even named him one of the world’s 100 most influential people, but even without that acknowledgment, it was evident that he has the ability to influence and inspire thousands of people. But why is this so? What exactly makes Banksy so influential and why do people value his art so much?
Why is his art so popular?
When asked about Banksy, people say that they like the fact that his art is easy to understand, but that it is still immensely powerful at the same time. There aren’t many artists today who manage to capture so much meaning and power in such simple images. An ordinary picture of a girl with a red balloon can bring up emotions of nostalgia, sadness, past struggles and even hope depending on how you see it. Furthermore, his art is both political and funny, and in a world where politics isn’t such a happy theme, people feel attracted to the messages he conveys. Moreover, he doesn’t influence only a portion of society – his art touches people of all ages, races, and nationalities and makes them feel like somewhere out there, they have someone who understands them.
The mystery that is Banksy
Another aspect of Banksy’s character that lures people to him is the fact that nobody knows who he is. There are, of course, numerous speculations about the person behind this name; however, nothing has ever been confirmed. We still don’t know who he is. And people do not want to know. The mystery of his character is something that people like. A person who is so popular and influential but who does not want to be in the spotlight is not something we see in a world where people would do anything just to get famous.
Is his art real art?
Despite what critics say about what art is a real art, more than 90% of people believe Banksy’s art is real. Moreover, there are numerous requests for some of the biggest museums such as MoMA, to showcase Banksy’s pieces right next to the most famous artists of the world. And whether you liked his artwork or not, you’d have to admit that something that moves people so much and makes them feel a wide variety of emotions deserves to be acknowledged as real art.
Conclusion
If you ask 100 critics about Banksy and his art, you’d probably get 100 different answers. But if you ask people, the people he makes his art for, they’d say that his powerful art makes them think, inspires them, makes them feel happy and rebellious all at the same time. Whoever he is, the world is probably lucky to have an artist who makes people feel that way.
