Banksy: Artist or Vandal?

I see the rather secretive 'Banksy' has been in the news again. From an artistic viewpoint,I can't see that his work is anything special,although some of it does make a valid statement on various aspects of life,both political and social,but he could surely do that by exhibiting normally. Isn't he just a pretentious vandal? Having said that,if he wants to paint on my wall he's very welcome. I'd then flog it for pots of dosh to some tosser who reads The Guardian.

I read in the Guardian earlier that he's brilliant.

So he must be......

Breadman wrote:I read in the Guardian earlier that he's brilliant.

So he must be......

 Do you have a beard and wear corduroy pants?

No, but my wife does.

Breadman wrote:No, but my wife does.

'Open University' girl eh'.

Like the idea of Banksy vandalising folks homes. Either they can make money as you suggest or they could express their disgust and scrub it off which would be funny as.

Artwise, he's a decent cartoonist but his ideas are a bit obvious, but the media are so up his ass the nation needs some disgruntled punter to follow him round with graffiti removal spray.

Win back the streets for ordinary people!

I like his shit.

What about his art?

Artist.

He did a very god painting on a house here in Cheltenham, depicting GCHQ. Although good, who gave him permission to paint all over the end wall ? The local spray can 'artists' didn't take to this secret approach, and ruined it. (can you vandalise an illegal painting? ). The owner tried to sell the empty house, but the council stepped in and wouldn't let him, (can't remember why). Its all gone now, and the house has been extended, with no sign whatsoever of the painting.
I think its vandalism, and an example is of that European flag. If it was painted on my property, I'd be somewhat miffed.

gloswhite wrote:He did a very god painting on a house here in Cheltenham, depicting GCHQ. Although good, who gave him permission to paint all over the end wall ? The local spray can 'artists' didn't take to this secret approach, and ruined it. (can you vandalise an illegal painting? ). The owner tried to sell the empty house, but the council stepped in and wouldn't let him, (can't remember why). Its all gone now, and the house has been extended, with no sign whatsoever of the painting.
I think its vandalism, and an example is of that European flag. If it was painted on my property, I'd be somewhat miffed.

I was speaking to the guy who i was training yesterday and he told me that everyone wishes he had picked any building other than the one he did as the one he painted it on was owned by a bit of a known "G" who owns a few other buildings and a club in the town.  Apparently the buildings value has gone up quite a lot.

It did at the time, was going for about £300k, and some place was going to dismantle it, and cart it off somewhere. Even after it was vandalised, somebody said they would fix it, and then take it away. I think this was when the council stepped in. All we have now are the prints, etc, that are sold here.

gloswhite wrote:It did at the time, was going for about £300k, and some place was going to dismantle it, and cart it off somewhere. Even after it was vandalised, somebody said they would fix it, and then take it away. I think this was when the council stepped in. All we have now are the prints, etc, that are sold here.

i must admit i do like it!  and the position it is in is very poignant.

Is very popular down here as well !

Why can't he be both?

Artist for me.

But is he a good artist?