A Piece With No Name

Banksy’s work as a public artist has captured the attention of the world. His pieces have grown beyond graffiti to legitimate pieces of public art, ones that capture the zeitgeist of the moment through his amazing ability of visual sarcasm. He comments on issues in journalism, media, the police, and much more by creating stencils that not only entertain, but provoke thought. One piece, located on the corner of Randolph and Peoria in Chicago is the perfect description of his work and its influence through popular culture and current social issues.

One of Banksy’s trademarks is to create art by adding to features that already exist on his wall of a canvas. Another work of his in Chicago captures this perfectly, as the work is created simply by adding a word bubble next to a cracked concrete wall (See Right).

The piece on Randolph and Peoria does this as well, featuring a simple stencil of a baby carriage and doorway to create a piece of artwork. The staircase is created by the hollow remains of the staircase of a formerly-adjacent building, an untarnished glimpse through the white paint which covers the wall, staring into the bricks beneath. The carriage is seen tumbling down the steps into an open white doorway, child in tow. The piece is clearly referential to The Untouchables, whose infamous staircase scene is well engrained into popular culture.

The piece was created in May of 2010, at the height of the health care debacle in the United States. There was mounting concern over the issues of health care for children, and the piece clearly displays a commentary on that issue, showing a child in danger, falling down a staircase which doesn’t exist. The piece ends in a white doorway, possibly reflecting hope, or possibly death.

But what may be the most interesting component of this piece is not Banksy’s commentary on political issues, but on Banksy himself. Banksy is largely believed to be British, but May of 2010 was an important time for him. Exit Through the Gift Shop, a widely-popular documentary reported directed by Banksy himself had become a international hit. Banksy began spreading word of his film not through traditional advertising, but through a multi-city tour of public art, placing pieces all across the country. May was the very same month his film was released in Chicago, and it is certainly an interesting point to consider that this work wasn’t simply made for a statement, but for the benefit of Banksy’s other work.

Banksy has remained an icon throughout the past few years because of his sarcastic and clever commentaries on political issues through his pieces which capture our own pop culture. His work establishes him not only as a successful artist, but a successful businessman, who has managed to retain his integrity while balancing the commercial element of his work as well.