Banksy and graffiti art in general

[Josquius]

There's been a lot in the news about Banksy lately. He has been doing a piece a day around London and people are all over it.

What do you make of the man?
Greatest artist of our time?
Criminal scum bag who shouldn't be respected the way he is?
Fun prankster?
Something else?

Graffiti art does seem to sit in an interesting grey area where it's something negative and illegal generally but if you do it well enough its OK... Ish. Maybe.
But then there are occasions where it doesn't even need to be good. Or even art. Like that famous message in Sheffield.

[Zanza]

Great artist.

[Sheilbh]

He's fine. A little twee, but fine.

(That may, in part, be the reaction of having lived in Bristol for three years )

[garbon]

His latest pieces seem tedious.

[HVC]

Never really got him. I mean his art pieces aren't bad, but don't get why all the attention.

[Admiral Yi]

Graffiti is vandalism.

[jimmy olsen]

Love most of his work

[Richard Hakluyt]

I like some of his work, but a lot of the more recent stuff is not particularly interesting. The adulation coming from some sectors of society seems ridiculous to me, as do the valuations placed on the work. He is the Guardian readers graffiti artist...middle class, safe and lacking challenging social criticism.

[garbon]

I like some of his work, but a lot of the more recent stuff is not particularly interesting. The adulation coming from some sectors of society seems ridiculous to me, as do the valuations placed on the work. He is the Guardian readers graffiti artist...middle class, safe and lacking challenging social criticism.

Well his recent London animals series was made just to make people feel good.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Yeah, they are ok...but that is all.

[Tonitrus]

I like some of his work, but a lot of the more recent stuff is not particularly interesting. The adulation coming from some sectors of society seems ridiculous to me, as do the valuations placed on the work. He is the Guardian readers graffiti artist...middle class, safe and lacking challenging social criticism.

Well his recent London animals series was made just to make people feel good.

The monster. 

[Razgovory]

[Valmy]

Beige alert your neutralness!

[The Minsky Moment]

Graffiti is vandalism.

That's letting the Goths off too easy.

[Jacob]

Graffiti is gothism!