Banksy

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An elusive street artist famous for creating provocative pieces that challenge societal norms and provoke thought on various issues
2. A renown figure in the art world, recognized for his anonymity and the social and political critiques embedded in his urban artwork
3. A mysterious figure known for creating street art that comments on politics and society ; a widely recognized symbol of contemporary rebellious art culture

Etymology: Banksy is a pseudonym, and the artist behind it has never publicly confirmed a real name. The work is usually stencilled onto walls, bridges and buildings, often appearing without warning. Because the person stays hidden, the name functions as a brand: people speak of the work as "Banksy's" much as they would of a company or a movement. The name has also become shorthand. Critics and commentators sometimes use it loosely for any stencil-style street art that targets authority, consumerism or war. Its reputation for rebellion sits alongside a strong commercial market for the artist's pieces, and that tension is part of why the name provokes debate about whether graffiti belongs in galleries.

Synonyms: street artist, graffiti artist