How Banksy Saved Art

Banksy is probably one of the most famous artists in the world, and definitley the most famous street artists. He is also one of the few artists who's work consistently references art history. His art is commentary on culture, society the history of image-making. Banksy recasts masterpieces as powerful comments on contemporary issues: climate change, consumerism and the struggle for peace, and reveals these works to be surprisingly elastic, resilient and relevant.

In this fully illustrated and entertaining exploration, bestselling author Kelly Grovier traces art history through Banksy’s lens, presenting many of his most recognizable works: from his droll lampooning of the Lascaux cave paintings to his reinvention of Monet’s enchanting water-lily pond, a reboot of Géricault’s tragic gut-wrenching vision to Vermeer’s girl now instilled with street cred, everyone’s genius is grist for his unmerciful mill. Far from being diminished in their significance, however, the works that Banksy ruthlessly parodies are ultimately refurbished by the ordeal. Banksy’s iconoclastic works force us to rethink our affection for, and appreciation of, great works of art that define cultural history.

Who wrote it?
Kelly Grovier

How does it come?
Hardback. 19 x 25 x 2.5 cm 207 pages. Full illustrated.