Gangsta Rat, 2004

Banksy is a street artist that is best known for his graffiti work. He has a distinctive stenciling technique that makes his work easily identifiable. The fact that all of his work is carried out in public means that he is an artist that can really connect with people and make them think about the messages that are contained in his work. His work has been influenced by the underground scene in Bristol, and comparisons have been drawn between his work and that of French artist Blek le Rat. His stenciling career began when he was almost caught by police painting graffiti on a railway bridge, and he began to think about ways that his art work could be carried out faster. His work is usually carried out somewhere in a public place. He has been known to use walls and bridges as canvases for his work. This has led to people actually trying to take these things apart in order to be able to own a piece of his art. He does not produce reproductions of his art for members of the public to buy which means that his street work is always in high demand. Banksy was in the public eye recently due to his involvement in the alternative theme park Dismaland. Although this did not feature much of his trademark artwork, it is certainly a piece of social commentary, something which he is also well known for. Demand for tickets was far more than was expected, and when tickets were released each day they sold out within minutes. (Artist website)