Banksy is an urban graffiti artist who is known for his controversial and often disturbing graffiti art. In one particular art work of his called "The Crayola Shooter", Banksy shows give a depiction of a small child holding a machine gun surrounding by flowers. In this work Banksy uses contrasting ideas, symbolism, and emotion to capture and bring to life the horrible effect in which war has on children. 

"The Crayola Shooter" depicts a child holding a machine gun that is as long as he is tall. Around the child, there are colorful flowers, grass, and a sun. These objects look like they have been drawn by a six year old. It looks like something you would see in a kindergarten art project display. These drawling represent childhood innocents. If you look closely at the machine gun, you'll notice that it isn't loaded with normal rounds. Instead the clip is loaded with crayons. Thus, despite the weapon looking very dangerous and threatening, the child means no harm. The crayons wouldn't do any harm. The child doesn't want to hurt anyone. He'd rather be coloring than fighting in a war. Yet, at first glance the first thing the viewer notices is the child holding a machine gun. But, at a closer glance, it is clear that the child is just scared and should not be considered as a threat but as a victim. 

In this piece, Banksy uses contrast to make a statement. The colorful and childish drawling clash with the realistic and grim looking child holding a machine gun. The Lethal weapons contrasts with the crayons in the clip. The Crayons and drawling suggest childhood innocents, while the child's uniform and the gun suggest war and violence. The child's face is filled with sadness and fear. However, when I think of someone holding a machine gun I think of bloodthirst. 

Banksy was known for his symbolism. This piece along with several other works of art show the effects that war has on the innocent in two different ways. These effects are horrifying. For children, their childhood is often taken away from them. Many times their fathers are killed in war and are forced into poverty. And in many countries small children are taken against their will and trained to fight at a young age. Children don't deserve to suffer the effect of war. They weren't the ones who started fights. They had nothing to do with the reasons wars are started, and yet often they suffer the most. And with this work of art, Banksy is trying to bring to light the horrible effects war has on children which is often overlooked. 

This work by Banksy is a symbol of childhood innocents being destroyed by violence and war. War effects far more than just the men who start them. It effects the guilty and blood thirst as well as the innocent and helpless. This painting reveals the horrible effects that war has on children. 

