A Visual Analysis Of The Graffiti Artwork Done By Banksy

Graffiti art has been ignored for a long time. People often ignore graffiti artwork on alleyways, bridges, or train cars. The graffiti world is viewed as something that rebellious teenagers use to get their adrenaline rush. Banksy is a graffiti artist who shows that graffiti doesn’t have to be just paint on walls. It can also send a message. Banksy has created graffiti art on walls all across England. Each one conveys a message and stands out for its modern style.

Banksy’s image was created in a dark alleyway. This is obvious by the wall cracks and chipped rocks, as well as the paint that has been splattered. These are signs that the area is not well-maintained. This piece is dark in color, with dull greys, army greens and charcoal blacks. This image’s main focal point is the child-like bodies and heads with their television sets. The figures are placed in a central location on the wall. A dim light illuminates the bodies as well as the wall. They are supported by cables, which hang from the back. These cables suggest that the figures must be plugged in for their functions. These silhouettes look like children’s bodies. Two antennas stick out from the top of the TV sets. The TV box and screens are both black. The image has a dark feel with the television box and screens being black. The head of each figure is the most prominent feature in this piece. The audience can see that the brain is being taken over by electronics and media. The artist suggested that television sets are all the youth’s primary focus in today’s digital age. The younger generation spends a lot of time on social media and is addicted to watching videos or playing games. Teens and children are always on their smartphones or tablets, whether at dinner, school, or at other social events. The screens are controlling their brains. To reinforce the message, the kid bodies are added to the image. The bodies are surrounded by cables that have plugs at their ends. This is adding to control. Banksy wanted to illustrate the idea that youth must be “plugged in” in order to function. It is the same way that a TV set must be plugged into to turn on. The youth of today are rarely seen without an electronic device. Banksy furthers the argument, claiming that young people can’t function and “turn on” without an electronic device.

The graffiti is repetitive, mainly because it shows the repetition of television sets and kids bodies. All three figures are identical. It is clear that they have been influenced by the media and what youth see on TV. Banksy continues his argument by repeating the television heads and bodies. Social media, printed and televised, all show images of youth. The younger generation sees these videos and images, and loses their independence. They want to be just like the media. Everyone wants to feel accepted and included. They only care about what everyone else is doing, listening to, or wearing. This image also shows a binary between light and dark. The walls are darkened, dimmed and gloomy at the edges. However, the brighter interior is what draws attention to the center. Banksy creates an argument with this lighting.

This image shows the distinct body language and child-like appearances of these figures. Although the overall mood is dark and gloomy, the images’ bodies appear happy and joyful, like children dancing or playing. The bodies are expressive and have a positive body language. The bodies’ pleasant movements cause viewers to become confused and begin to question the piece. What is the point of all this social media activity? This photo could be used to show the joys media and television bring children. However, that argument would ignore the bright light and body language in the middle of the wall. All of the evidence, including the TV heads that show brain corruption and the control cables, is clear that Banksy’s message is dark. This artwork doesn’t bring much joy. This image is filled with sadness. It is difficult to resist getting caught up in the latest technological advances and all that they offer. Banksy is pointing out the negative consequences of technological advancements. Although one can argue the positive effects of information technology and how research is growing, young people are still suffering. The artist did not follow the law and went to great lengths to create the image. He wanted to show that electronic media and constant media attention are ruining youth.