Banksy at 40

Banksy have never made his identity or real name public. Most sources can tell that he is probably born in 1974 (or 1973).  Since the beginning of the millenium he has had a remarable career as an artist, publisher and a movie maker. Few, living artist experiences that their works are sold for millions of dollars at auctions. Collectors and investors opent their wallets wide for relatively modest pieces of work from Banksy's hand. I'm not a collector and don't have the kind money needed for purchasing his works, but I must admit that I do admire him. For some reason I think I would like him....... He is smart and his creative talent is way higher than his fellow colleagues working in the streets and in addition he likes Massive Attack :-). Involentary, maybe, he has also become the street artist that mostly sumbolizes big money, fame and commercialism in street art. And Banksy at 40 constantly fights that image.

His Master's Voice (photographed in London 2012)

The subversive artist probably identifies with the dog. Banksy at 40 may have an identity crises. 

Guido Van Helten : Huge portraits in the streets

I really like the architecture in Edinburgh and the dark colours of the soft limestone

I often visit Edinburgh, not because of the street art, but to see friends. However, as always, I have my eyes open for art works in the streets and surprises are always very welcomed. As I walk up Lieth Walk, I see the piece across the street. I don't recognize the artist, but the work is great and the location is perfect. By posting it on Instagram, someone told me that the work was done by Guido Van Helten. An Australian based street artist who travels the world and paint.

The motive is from the play 'Seven deadly sins' by Berthold Brecht and Kurt Weill staged in Edinburgh in 1961. The women portrayed are Anna I and Anna II

The mural is a part of an art project supported by the city council and organized by LiethLate called The 'Shutter Project'.

I just love to hang out for a while and watch people passing by

I have later seen some of Guido Van Helten's work in London and the artist seems to choose motives from old pictures, pictures from theatrical plays which have connection to the place or location he is painting.. See more of the artist's works on his webpage.

Banging your head against a brick wall

Yesterday I got my order from e-bay in the mail box. it's the first book published by Banksy in 2001 and costed me 68 dollars (used, but in good shape). In the 90s Banksy was a free hand graffiti painter and writer. In 2000 he changed style and began to make stencil works in the streets of Bristol and London. The photos are mainly taken by Steve Lazarides who later became Banksy's agent.

Simple Intelligence Testing in Dumb Animals (Facsimile from 'Banging your head against a brick wall')

The book is small, the size of a passport, but it's forcasting what we now know as an intelligent and  multitalented artist, by his writing, his prints and his street art. Banksy was, and still is, a publisher and an activist!

facsimile from 'Banging your head against a brick wall'

 It's a lot of text in the book, sometimes self biographical and begins like this " You could say that Graffiti is ugly, selfish and that it's just the action of people who wants some pathetic kind of fame. But if that's true it's only because graffiti writers are just like everyone else in this fucking country"

facsimile from 'Banging your head against a brick wall'

Banksy was born in Bristol in 1974. He is son of a photocopier technician and he trained as a butcher. His skills in printing and his ability to cut through the crap with words that are sharp as a butchers' knife are now famous. A small, but great book.

ADW: Subversive Commercials

It's some time ago since I posted something from Dublin Ireland.  I think the works of  ADW represent the soul of street art; politically charged and opposition towards the power (financial, political and commercial). ADW is an activist and do illegal and legal works in the streets.

'Cop on' is Irish slang for 'Get real' or 'Wise up'

a comment on fake tan which give an orange look rather than brownish

An attack on dominating brands with huge financial resources and interests! 

ADW is clearly an admirer of Banksy and in an interview ADW says: “There’s French Banksys, Spanish Banksys. Banksy changed what art could mean, everyone could understand his artwork, that’s what I try to achieve too. In the wake of him a lot of good street art has come about.” He hopes that people see the difference, not least an Irish sense of humour in his pieces. ADW doesn't regard himself as just a street artist, a label he struggles with. “I hate to pigeon hole it, what I do is stencils. But I plan to keep pushing, printing forms, screen printing. I prefer to just say artist. Street art, urban art, various terms, it’s all art.” I like the works he has left in Dublin and hope yo see more when I go back.