How Banksy Saved Art History

by Kelly Grovier

A new take on the history of art through the eyes of the international phenomenon that is Banksy.

Few would dispute that Banksy is the most famous urban artist in the world today. That he is also a perceptive art historian might come as a surprise to many. Taken together, the myriad memorable works the street artist has created over the course of the past thirty years, constitute an audacious commentary on the history of image-making―a captivating critique waiting to be pieced together.

Armed with little more than stencils, spray paint, and an anonymizing cloak of after-hours darkness, Banksy has forged an alluring identity for himself as an incorrigible prankster who doesn’t embrace tradition, but shreds it. Consider Banksy and you think of grubby city walls far removed from elite galleries and privileged museums where art is conventionally shown. What actually illuminates Banksy’s audacious murals, impromptu urban sculptures, and vandalized paintings, however, is a profound understanding of the story of art.

Through the dark satirical lens of Banksy’s mischievous reimagined masterpieces, art history is viewed anew and brought into unexpected focus. From his droll lampooning of the Lascaux cave paintings to reinventing Monet’s enchanting water lily pond, a reboot of Géricault’s tragic, gut-wrenching vision to Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring now instilled with street cred, everyone’s genius is grist for his unmerciful mill. Far from being diminished in their significance, however, the works that Banksy ruthlessly parodies are ultimately refurbished by the ordeal. Banksy’s iconoclastic works force us to rethink our affection for and appreciation of great works of art that define cultural history.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Sean Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very eye-opening and mind expanding. I am a long-time fan of Banksy's cheeky, satirical art style, but this book offered references throughout Art's history that Banksy may have been nodding to without us even realizing.

[Tabish Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

By comparing Banksy's works to those from art history, this book shines a new light on the street artist's past projects and how much he refers to art historical masterpieces.

[Niels Frid-Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skarp bog om graffitikunstnerens forhold til kunsthistorien

[Richard Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s start with a declaration of interest—I have a collection of Banksy record and CD covers (there are more than you know), posters and books. I don’t necessarily agree with all of Banksy’s politics but I do admire his knowledge of art history and his ability to refashion and present it for today’s audience (most of whom won’t get the art history).

Kelly Grovier knows his art history and has chosen forty-three of Banksy’s works to illustrate his (Banksy’s) nods to fine art.
Grovier writes short, one-page texts setting each piece in context, both educational and often amusing.

There are good reproductions of Banksy’s works together with many of the ”fine art” pieces Grovier suggests were the inspiration for Banksy’s works. And the book ends with an illustrated chronological list of the Banksy works described in the book.

I’d love to see a museum follow Grovier’s idea and put on an exhibition of Banksy’s works together with the works that ”insired” them. But until that happens I’m happy with this book.

[Jenny Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Banksy Saved Art History
1 Sentence Summary: author Kelly Grovier argues that Banksy's reinterpretations of classic artworks, far from diminishing their significance, actually revitalize them by forcing a re-evaluation of their meaning and impact within contemporary culture.

My Rating: 4.5 stars, rounded down!

My Thoughts: I loved this book!! It helped me understand some of the significance of Banksy’s works more in-depth, and introduced me to more of his works and how they compare to those of the past. I don’t know that I would go all the way as to say that he saved art history, but I know I'm definitely biased on that opinion.:)

Recommend to: fans of art history!

(Warnings: nudity)

[Racheal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to complete a challenge around books about artists. I very much enjoyed this read, and the pictures.

[Jūratė Baltušnikienė · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tai provokuojantis žvilgsnis į meno istoriją per Banksy kūrybos prizmę. Pasitelkdamas meno šedevrus – nuo Da Vinci ir Dega iki Warholo – Grovier juos gretina su anoniminio britų gatvės menininko satyriniais, parodijuojančiais ir nūdieną kritikuojančiais „perdirbiniais“, kviesdamas skaitytoją iš naujo įvertinti, ką reiškia „ikoniškas“ menas.

Knygos koncepcija įtaigi: per juodą, kandžią Banksy ironiją klasikiniai kūriniai atgyja, tampa aktualūs šių dienų socialiniame ir politiniame kontekste. Grovier pateikia originalų kūrinį ir šalia Banksy „versiją“, aprašo kontekstą, paaiškina, kokią žinutę gatvės menininkas užkoduoja viename ar kitame savo darbe. Taip Banksy dėka meno šedevrai tarsi išlaisvinami – iš muziejų tylos perkeliami į gatves ir aktualius visuomenės dialogus.

Tai knyga tiems, kurie domisi tiek meno istorija, tiek šiuolaikine kultūros kritika, ir nori „paklaidžioti“ tarp aukštojo meno ikonų ir gatvės meno provokacijų.

Ir vis dėlto, nors knygos vizualinis sprendimas įdomus ir įtraukiantis, pats tekstas vietomis pasirodė pernelyg sofistikuotas, stilistiškai išpūstas ir pompastiškas. Apibūdindama autoriaus rašymo manierą tegaliu pasakyti, kad čia 100 proc. suveikė posakis: „Iš didelio rašto išėjo iš krašto“.

[Gary Mantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been quite intrigued by everyone’s intrigue around Banksy, as I couldn’t quite get-it within his art form. So I picked up this book when I read a review prior to its release. Very good move! Loved the approach by the author, which puts context into Bankys pieces as social commentary in relation to original referenced pieces. I am a big fan!

[Christa Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more serious than Banksy would like...but what do I know?

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comparison of Banksy art with famous pieces from which he borrowed.

[Syb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Banksy was a intelligent artist, but o-m-g … can we call him the G.O.A.T from now on?

[caro_cactus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting parallels and background info on works of art, and nice colour prints.