Work of Banksy, found on street-wall

Earlier this week we interviewed Seac and Slaze who mentioned another form of street-art: stenciling. This is especially popular in the UK where designs double as critiques or as satires of modern society.

Left unnoticed for 3 days in British Museum, by Banksy

The most famous is Banksy who was mentioned briefly in a previous SHEI post.  While his identity remains a secret, Banksy has maintained a high profile since the early 1990′s and though there has been constant speculation about his identity and even some who claim they have solved the mystery, the truth is that no one knows who he is…just that he was originally a native of Bristol.  In fact, when the Bristol Museum allowed the artist, amidst much controversy, to create an exhibition, they had no idea that he showed up as one of the work-crew that did the installation (check out this BBC News article for more details).  Banksy had formerly been considered the bane of establishments like the British Museum and galleries in England and the United States for various activities that are also quite funny.

Check out this website that also features a video about the origins of Banksy.

The popularity of Banksy has inspired a whole new wave of artists who leave messages with similar themes around urban areas.

So…if you’re interested in doing this yourself (on legal spaces, like your own t-shirt, or your bedroom wall) check out these DIY videos.

How To: Stencil Graffiti Art 101

Quickie, How-to Stencil a T-Shirt, Threadbanger

If this inspires you, feel free to send in pics of your creations – we’ll post them!

-B.C.Bodnar