Why Banksy is My Idol
When I think about becoming a journalist/writer/author and all those synonyms mixed into one I lowkey want to be like Banksy.
Who is Banksy? According to my research he is a UK based street artist whose identity is a complete mystery. I have Google, I have Binged, and most importantly I have Yahood this person and I still can’t find anything more on him. He is well-known for rooting political messages within his art and much like everything it’s up to your own perception. Usually the messages are clear as day but for some reason I have this gut feeling that there is so much more behind the stencils and spray paint. I’m not just some delusional Arts and Humanities student trust me.
Anyway as I write I’m still trying to figure out the kind of writer I want to be and seeing how Banksy creates like the rest of us breathe does that mean I can do that too? There are so many reasons why they’re my idol here’s a few. Maybe one day they’ll tell us exactly who they are.
Reasons why I want to be like Banksy:
1. Anonymity
I’m not into the sexy mysterious type (actually I am) but there is something about reading a writer’s work and not knowing their name. Does that sound kind of stupid? I think it’s the whole idea of not wanting the author’s autobiographical history to taint the reader’s perception of the work. Which is something I think Banksy is doing. Now, either I can start a new website that is completely anonymous or I can erase myself from history somehow…?
2. Blurring the lines of legality
Political writing stirs up controversy and sometimes it can border on the lines between “correct” and scandal. You know what is so great about Banksy? He is a street artist. Now being a street artist vs. graffiti artist are two different things because street art has a greater meaning behind it. So I have been told. However, in Canada it is still considered vandalism. As an artist I appreciate how bold he is. Pairing political statements with street art which is illegal in Canada tests boundaries and limitations I dig that.
3. The Ripple Effect
If I were to show someone a piece of art by Banksy I can almost guarantee that a solid 90% of these people would have seen the art before. Their instagram platform has 9MILLION followers and along with that a grand list of activists who are praising this artist. I had a friend tell me that we are connected to everyone by 7 degrees. Imagine how intertwined we are with Banksy and their activism.
I have these speculative thoughts that Banksy could be more than one person in the world. I can’t prove it but if I think that Banksy is more than one person could that mean that the network of artists and activists associated with the name could be closer than we think?