Art can be used as a weapon, a wall is a great weapon, something you can hit or touch someone with, this is the way Banksy thinks. The streets, walls and bridges of cities all over the world are his canvas, creating often amusing and surprising images with anti-war, anti-capitalist and anti-idolatry principles. Banksy never explains his intentions to the public, but relies on the public’s perceptions, which he describes as invaluable.

The famous street artist’s work can be seen as a mirror and a reaction to fast economic, social and cultural changes, a milestone in the history of recent street art. Banksy once said: “Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place, and others become vandals because they want to make the world a better-looking place”.

The satirical character with which the Bristol-based artist, a keen observer of social dynamics, tackles current issues makes his works so unique. Terrorism, war crimes, the economic crisis, bullying and labour abuses are recurring topics in the news, images and information that reach us on a daily basis but we rarely take in. However, this is not the case with Banksy, the unsolved mystery of contemporary art of our times.

Probably the most controversial street artist in the world, Banksy has created a subculture in his own right, full of a disruptive vision and instilled with tenacious political statements, capable of generating a new ideal and symbolic impact in various cities around the world by provoking alternative viewpoints; promoting a new revolution in the art world. What shocks viewers the most is the speed, the immediacy that the burning issues of global current affairs are represented in his works, in such a brilliant way dictated by the British sense of humour that distinguishes him; transforming walls, stairs, and anonymous street corners into spaces for reflection and obviously making a mark on people’s souls and hearts.