Banksy: Street Artist or Criminal?

Banksy's Art and Style

• Banksy altered a painting he bought from a local market, showcasing his artistic creativity.

Banksy's Notorious Art Pieces

• In 2004, Banksy created his own version of the Mona Lisa and placed it in the Louvre Museum.

Girl With Balloon Incident

• At Sotheby's auction house in 2018, Banksy's famous piece, Girl With Balloon, self-destructed via a shredder built into the frame.
• During the auction, the picture of Girl With Balloon shredded itself, leaving the audience in shock.

Value and Authenticity

• The half-shredded painting of Girl With Balloon is believed to be worth millions, with its current value estimated to be around £1 million.
• Banksy's artwork is often difficult to verify as genuine because of his anonymous identity and lack of official documentation.

Inspiration and Early Career

• Banksy was inspired to use stencils in his art after he was almost caught by the police while creating graffiti.
• In 2003, Banksy held his first 'exhibition' in a warehouse, showcasing his crude, street-level, and rebellious art style.

Banksy's Prank at Tate Britain

• In 2005, Banksy visited Room 7 in the Tate Britain art gallery, wearing a fake beard and a wig, and placed one of his own works on the wall.

Test your knowledge about the famous England-based street artist Banksy. Explore his pseudonymous identity and the challenges of verifying the authenticity of his graffiti artwork that appears on public buildings around the world.