Banksy is an anonymous graffiti artist whose work appears all across the world. Some call him a political activist standing against hypocrisy and elitism, others consider him a rebellious degenerate. His artwork has had a big influence on the way people think and it continues to influence people. I view Banksy as a revolutionary, he stands up for the people without a voice. Some argue that his artwork is nonsensical profanity, but I believe that he has had a big impact and it sends a deep philosophical message. Therefore I will be analyzing several of his artworks and defending my stance that he contributes meaningful and influential art instead of graffiti.

The first piece if I will be analyzing and defending appeared in May of 2010. It is called Follow Your Dream Cancelled, it appears in the Chinatown district of Boston. It depicts a working class painter man standing next to the words FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS painted in black. Stamped across are the words CANCELLED in an enforcing font. I think it is ironic that this appeared in Boston because that was really the birthplace of the United States and the fight for independence. Banksy is suggesting that due to changing times and circumstances the American dream is no longer as obtainable as it once was, the ideals our country was built on are gone. Freedom allows people to go after whatever they want, it is the American way. Banksy is insinuating that the American Dream is dead and the restrictions that society has set prevent people from really fulfilling their dreams. Limits have been placed by society and the freedom we have is only an illusion. Those who are viewed as different are ridiculed into assimilation. If you are not a part of the majority than you are considered an outsider and this forces people to act and do things the way other people want them to act instead of being themselves. Society tells people how to act and how to behave, it has no tolerance for people that are different. It is those abstract thinkers, like Banksy, that get us to realize the truth about the world. Negative connotations are often associated with graffiti but I believe that this work by Banksy sends a good message and it should be regarded as real art. It is not vandalism but a contribution to art and philosophy.

The next work by Banksy is called Rage the Flower Thrower, it appeared in Jerusalem in 2003. It features the silhouette of a rioter wearing a bandana around his face and a backwards hat. He is equipped with flowers, it appears that he is in the midst of throwing them similar to a grenade. The location of Banksy's works are always calculated and put there for a reason. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and one of the oldest cities on Earth. It has seen plenty of wars throughout its history and fighting continues today between the Palestinians and the Israelites. Hostility between these two groups has persisted since the conclusion of World War 2. Banksy is trying to send the message that peace can only be obtained through love and understanding, not violence and destruction. This is one of Banksy's most popular works and rightfully so. Flower Thrower sends an important message, peace and love is a recurring theme of Banksy's. His artwork always contains some sort of satirical wisdom, he gets through to people through his art, for this reason he has a fanatic following and those that do regard him as a profound artist believe him to be a modern day symbol of peace and revolution. 

A visual text is supposed to convey a deeper meaning without using words. By just looking at that particular image it can tell you a whole story. Visual Text allows the observer to bring their own experiences, knowledge, and beliefs together to make a conclusion, I feel that people approach visual text with a more open mind. When people read written text they are confined to the author's words and it kind of gives a narrow perspective of the topic presented. Banksy is very good at getting his message across through his art. Banksy's art is inspired by current events, the location of his works are strategically placed so that they have the biggest impact. Many art critics say that Banksy is simply just a graffiti artist and that he should not be considered as a real legitimate artist. They argue that all he contributes is vandalism but I think that he stands for something more than that. To me Banksy embodies modern day art, he has adapted to the times and his art invokes feelings and thoughts into the viewer. I would even go as far as calling him a revolutionary figure, he stands for many things and no topic is off limits. He represents the majority of people in the lower classes who do not have a voice. His art constantly visits several topics including anti-war, anti-establishment, social injustice, and personal freedom. Banksy does not put out his art for personal recognition, he does it to expose people to the truth about what is going on around them. Banksy is one of the first great artist in the internet age and he has used the internet to pass on his works and it allows millions of people to be exposed to Banksy and the message he sends through his art.  

Banksy is a legitimate artist and his works are more than just vandalism. He speaks to the masses through his art and they get things across that words never could. That is what a good visual text should do, convey a message through an image without words. Banksy is a master at invoking thoughts into people through images. By looking at the two pieces I analyzed and defending you can see how deep and meaningful his works can be. 

