“Banksy and the Rise of Outlaw Art”

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

While 2020 has been one of the most chaotic and tumultuous years I have ever experienced, Banksy seems to be living the dream. The pandemic has not slowed the elusive street artist and socio-political commentator down one bit and, if anything, we have seen more from Banksy in 2020 than we have in a long while.

I recently watched an incredible documentary titled, “Banksy and the Rise of Outlaw Art.” This film does an incredible job of explaining the rise of graffiti art as part of the multi-faceted hip hop movement in new York City in the 1970’s. It continues to chart graffiti art’s transition from the streets to the art world galleries in the 1980’s and then illustrates how the movement traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to the United Kingdom.

From there, it details Banksy’s early days as a graffiti artist and his astounding rise to anonymous celebrity vandal. I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary and strongly recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of, not only Banksy and his hijinks, but also the impact of graffiti art in both the U.S. and the U.K.

“Banksy & the Rise of Outlaw Art” is currently streaming on Prime Video.

For more information on this documentary and to watch a trailer, please visit…

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11393026/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5

Leave a comment

I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.