Who is Banksy?

Despite being perhaps the most popular graffiti artist in the world, Banksy has managed to remain pseudo-anonymous. His real name is unknown; the only definite facts are that he is male, and was born in Bristol, England. It is also said he was born in 1974. In 2007 the BBC published what is thought to be a picture of the artist at work on a London street. Monkeys, Rats and Cops Banksy's work is distinct in its style, with a range of themes and motifs that are often repeated. Also consistent is an underlying social or political message that criticizes everything from homophobia and militarism to our excessive material consumption and the saturation of public space with corporate messages. Perhaps most frequent in Banky's work is the aim of subverting state and corporate authority. Among his best known images are monkeys holding weapons of mass destruction, gun-holding policeman drawn with Wal-Mart's trademark yellow smiley face, and British bobbies locked in a passionate kiss. Banksy has even gone so far as to paint the Queen with a gorilla face, and to print his name, skull and crossbones and the phrase "turf war" on grazing cattle. He is also known for satirizing "high art" such as the Mona Lisa, which he stenciled in a soldier's uniform with a rocket launcher over her shoulder. Here are some of the Banksy canvas prints we offer.....