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Listed as the #2 book in the "LJ Bestsellers--Arts" titles
Book Description
The collected works of Britain's most wanted artist
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Banksy may be the most well-known (and notorious) graffiti artist in the world, but there is a lot more to him than that. There is a strong case for arguing that he is one of the most important conceptual artists in Britain (although I sure that he would blow a big raspberry at such a pretentious claim and say that a conceptual artist is just someone who can't draw!).
Banksy's art makes some of the most 'happening' members of the Britart establishment look tame and stale and I suspect that in 100 years time, he will overshadow Damien Hirst. But if that sounds too pompous, I should add that this is one of the funniest and refreshing books I've read for a long time. It is a tribute to Banksy's genius that he can make you laugh, but also make a serious point about the society we live in. Banksy argues that it is crazy that we outlaw graffiti, but allow companies and corporations to plaster their messages all over our walls, trains and buses. I don't completely agree with this - an indecipherable graffiti 'tag' is boring and doesn't enhance a public space, whereas Banksy's pictures are witty and thought-provoking. However, it is refreshing to have an artist who genuinely challenges the status quo, rather than relying on cheap gimmicks and shock value whilst selling their art to Charles Saatchi for thousands of pounds.
This is a book that would make a good present for lots of people (my 65-year-old mother-in-law loved it) but buy one for yourself first!
91 of 93 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I ordered this book on the strength of a strand on UK television about the artist. What a fabulous book. Although I'm almost of pensionable age and more likely to admire the works of Vermeer I found myself totally in tune with Banksy - and screaming with delight at some of the pieces. He can come and do my gable end any day!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Don't get me started on this, but...
If there's one thing guaranteed to get under my skin, then it's the way art has been hijacked by a few artists, exhibitors and buyers and transformed into a variant of the idiotic high fashion market, where only the happy few who are up to date with new lines of thought know what on Earth is going on. When Britain's only well-known artistic prize can be won by en empty room with a light bulb going on and off then the proverbial man in the street may feel that art, which surely should be for us all, has become elitist and irrelevant.
And so along comes Banksy, with art for the literal man in the street. Maybe it's that I collect super-hero comics, but I just love the whole secret identity thing. In a culture that is so sated with the idea of celebrity, here's an artist who doesn't want to be recognised so that he can be free to get on with his work. How refreshing is that?
But more, I love the work. Witty, thought provoking and, when at its best, as when pictures are painted on the wall the separates the Palestinians from Israel, they're downright powerful. (And to Banksy's great credit, he includes a brief conversation with an old Palestinian man which argues persuasively against creating art on the wall).
Don't be fooled by the low price, it's a big book with hundreds of pictures. And don't pay attention to the couple of reviewers who complain about the quality of the printing. Honestly, I don't know what they're on about. It's fine.
Highly recommended.
If there's one thing guaranteed to get under my skin, then it's the way art has been hijacked by a few artists, exhibitors and buyers and transformed into a variant of the idiotic high fashion market, where only the happy few who are up to date with new lines of thought know what on Earth is going on. When Britain's only well-known artistic prize can be won by en empty room with a light bulb going on and off then the proverbial man in the street may feel that art, which surely should be for us all, has become elitist and irrelevant.
And so along comes Banksy, with art for the literal man in the street. Maybe it's that I collect super-hero comics, but I just love the whole secret identity thing. In a culture that is so sated with the idea of celebrity, here's an artist who doesn't want to be recognised so that he can be free to get on with his work. How refreshing is that?
But more, I love the work. Witty, thought provoking and, when at its best, as when pictures are painted on the wall the separates the Palestinians from Israel, they're downright powerful. (And to Banksy's great credit, he includes a brief conversation with an old Palestinian man which argues persuasively against creating art on the wall).
Don't be fooled by the low price, it's a big book with hundreds of pictures. And don't pay attention to the couple of reviewers who complain about the quality of the printing. Honestly, I don't know what they're on about. It's fine.
Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wonderful stuff!
I enjoyed this friend's book in the heart of rural N Ireland and decided it's an absolute must-have as an lover of good art, and as an activist and protester. Read more
Published 2 months ago by chris c
AMAZING! Everyone should buy this book!
Not only is the work in this book amazingly witty and 'sticking two fingers up to society' so to speak, but I was surprised how much reading there is in it, and how many quotes... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Emily
Sheer Genius!
Bansky, whoever he is, is a brilliant artist who has made counterintuitive statements with his art. It is a book about pictures of its works as much as about his quotes. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Roman Rock
Visual food for thought
There are some things around us which make us stop and stare, others that don't move us at all or just piss us off. Read more
Published 4 months ago by steelo
perfect - showcase of Banksy's work!
I bought this for someone as they were really interested in Banksy's art. When I got it, the book is big an thick full of images an short captions an articles dotted throughout to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by amaaaaaaazon!
Good book
This is an interesting well written book about an extremely interesting phenomena.
It is one of those books I would quite like everyone to read as it 'makes you think' as well... Read more
It is one of those books I would quite like everyone to read as it 'makes you think' as well... Read more
Published 4 months ago by meg
Way more than tagging
Don't hesitate, if you want to know more about Banksy then this is a marvellous book filled with colour illustrations and his words about art, life and the world in general. Read more
Published 5 months ago by bookworm
Excellent Service
Book arrived quickly and was well packaged so no damage at all. very pleased with the updates and purchase experience. thank you
Published 5 months ago by Customer H
Graffiti is art
I used to hate graffiti and all it stood for. seemed to me to be just youths with a spray can defacing walls. The I discovered banks and I saw Graffiti in a different light. Read more
Published 5 months ago by G. Bridgeman-clarke
Banksy
Needed a differnet gift for our daughter, who loves Banksy work. Really pleased with the book. Bought the DVD to go with it too. Thanks.
Published 5 months ago by Andi
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