Research Paper about Contemporary Artist Banksy. Arts Reaction Paper

Research Paper about Contemporary Artist Banksy
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Research Paper about Contemporary Artist Banksy
The street art movement or graffiti functions to highlight the artist's freedom of expression and ability to branch out of the confines of formal art through unorthodox exhibition techniques. Unlike the traditional arts, graffiti artists are not confined to a set of specific rules dictating how to develop their works or what materials to use. The artists depend on their creativity and imagination to express that which they feel or observe across the social, political, economic, and cultural parameters of society or the social setting within which they live. The artist also does not depend on traditional frameworks or platforms or exhibitions to showcase their works. Instead, the artists make use of the available spaces they find in the streets including walls, subways, as well as on the bodies of vehicles or trains. Graffiti artists further lay claim to their works through simple means of living their initials on their works as the only claim for their art. The unorthodox style of the art attracts mixed reactions from society or audience with some conservatives expressing reservations over graffiti, which they term as informal. The art has, however, overcome the reservations and is gaining recognition across the world, with artists boasting of great accolades from the same. An English artist known as Banksy, for instance, makes for one of the renowned graffiti artists in the world whose works cuts across the social, political, cultural, and economic aspects of society. The artist’s works feature among some of the most expensive graffiti arts sold at various auctions across the globe. A comprehensive analysis of some of Banksy’s works provides an excellent platform for understanding various elements, properties, and purpose or the functions served by the street art movement in society.[Ellsworth-Jone Will, “The Story Behind Banksy”, Smithsonian Magazine, February 2013, /arts-culture/the-story-behind-banksy-4310304/]
Banksy
It is a challenging process to find the details of a street artist who seeks to remain anonymous to other members of society or their audience for that matter. The English graffiti, Banksy, likes to keep his identity to himself by hiding his face in public forums. According to the Smithsonian magazine, Banksy presented a photograph of himself with a paper bag on his head to hide his identity after being selected as one of the most influential people in world by the Time magazine. The artist who hails from the Barton Hill district of Bristol is known for his remarkable works of graffiti that transcend the geographical borders and equally appealing to audiences across the social divides. Little is known about the life of the artist owing to his efforts to remain anonymous. Nevertheless, the quality of his works has popularized his anonymity around the world while also inviting criticism in equal measure. Banksy’s greatest or most iconic works in street art include Napalm, Flower Thrower, and The Kissing Coppers. A descriptive analysis of the outlined works functions to provide an enhanced understanding of Banksy’s works in the street art movement.[Ellsworth-Jone Will, “The Story Behind Banksy”, Smithsonian Magazine, February 2013, /arts-culture/the-story-behind-banksy-4310304/] [Ellsworth-Jone Will, “The Story Behind Banksy”, Smithsonian Magazine, February 2013, /arts-culture/the-story-behind-banksy-4310304/]
The Son of a Migrant from Syria
Those who are eloquent and charismatic use their mouths to speak out issues in the world and in society. These people speak and everyone listens. Those who can write, write poems, stories, and news stories that will capture the entire world. These people will voice their opinions and they will get people to read and understand the depth of the issues they discuss. Banksy, on the other hand, uses his brushstrokes to speak to the world in a language that everyone will understand. One good example of how he speaks and voices his displeasure and concern over the conduct or how the world runs is the artwork The Son of a Syrian Migrant. This artwork depicts the image of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs with what looks like a bin bag on one hand, and the original Apple computer on the other hand. The artwork was done on a wall at a refugee camp in France often referred to as the “Jungle.” The name of this refugee camp is a testament to the treatment as well as reaction refugees often receive from host nations. “The “jungle” is not an official camp, but rather an improvised and non-permanent group of tents and shelters – a good example of the kind of conditions under which migrants and refugees are obliged to live upon fleeing their home countries.” All around the world, refugees are kept in deplorable conditions because they are considered surplus to requirements. However, through his artwork, Banksy is trying to remind the world that people’s destinies are not defined by where they are coming from. He is trying to spread a message of love and of giving people second chances.[Coldewey, Devin. “Banksy paints ‘son of a migrant from Syria’ Steve Jobs at refugee camp,” MSNBC, November 2015, /msnbc/banksy-paints-syria-steve-jobs-refugee-camp]
Lately, there have been growing sentiment that developed nations need to reject refugees from countries like Syria. As a result of certain stereotypes, leaders from these countries appear to be wary of the refugees from Syria. However, Banksy sought to right this wrong and he chose to remind the world that the late Steve Jobs was a son of a Syrian migrant. Steve Job’s father was known as Abdul Fattah Jandali “a Syrian who in the 50s fled Beirut, where he had been demonstrating against Lebanese president.” While in the U.S., Jandali and Joanne Carol Schieble fell in love and Steve Jobs was born. J...