How Banksy Saved Art History by Kelly Grovier examines art history through the dark lens of the mysterious Street Artist Banksy.
Banksy is the world’s critical urban artist. What sets him apart is his unique approach to referencing art history. Over the past three decades, his iconic street art pieces have served as a bold commentary on the evolution of visual culture, a critique that is both striking and thought-provoking.
Armed with stencils, spray paint, and an air of mystery, Banksy has carved a niche for himself as a rebellious figure in the art world. Rather than conforming to tradition, he has chosen to dismantle it. When one thinks of Banksy, the image of gritty urban walls comes to mind, starkly contrasting the pristine spaces of galleries and museums. Yet, beneath this facade lies a profound understanding of art history that forms the basis of his daring murals, impromptu sculptures, and altered paintings.
Banksy’s playful and ironic twists on classical masterpieces now challenge our views of what art must be. From the irreverent take on the cave paintings of Lascaux to the humorous twist through his eyes on Monet’s serene water lilies, he reinvents Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring as a modern work of art. Banksy takes works that have been perpetually revered and makes them new, making us question and appreciate them anew. Rather than deflating their importance, his parodies breathe new life into these cultural icons. His irreverence invites us to re-conceive how we connect with art that has shaped history.
Kelly Grovier is an award-winning art critic and columnist for BBC Culture. He has also written for The Times Literary Supplement, The Independent, Sunday Times, The Observer, RA Magazine and Wired. He has authored several noted books, including the bestsellers A New Way of Seeing: The History of Art in 57 Works, On the Line: Conversations with Sean Scully, and The Art of Color: The History of Art in 39 Pigments. He is also cofounder of the academic journal European Romantic Review.