BANKSY
Banksy’s latest work is a painting which depicts the Black Lives Matter Movement in America. The Painting consists of an American Flag that is being burned by a candle flame, a dark portrait of a figure and a blur of black and white shadows and silhouettes of protestors. In the wake of the police killings and brutality towards black Americans, I think this is painting is very successful because it emphasises the need for to change the system so that everyone is treated equally regardless of their skin colour. Banksy’s use of dull, dark tones and colour such as blacks and greys gives the painting a sense of sadness and anger at the suppression of black Americans and the need for change. Although Banksy does not seem to live in the US, I think it’s a very clever approach in helping people in other countries to get a better understanding of what is happening and it also evokes emotion so that we are reminded of the role we all can play in combatting racism. Banksy was no doubt influenced by the killing of George Floyd and like so many across the world decided to take a stand through his artwork. In a way, he has quite literally brought the attention of the massive problem in today’s society by putting it right in front of people who walk on the street so that it can’t be ignored and I think this has successfully made the public respect Banksy as an artist even more. This is one of my favourite artworks by Banksy so far.