The House of Commons filled with chimpanzees or a picture of Princess Diana on a £10 note, Banksy – the graffiti artist thought to originate from the south west of England – provokes a strong affection in most people. But why? Is it the fact that he has made art more accessible, by presenting our culture from a topsy-turvy angle on a scruffy bit of wall or does his power derive from the notoriety caused by his choice to remain anonymous? We think it is probably a combination of the above, compounded with the fact that he is completely brilliant.

Banksy’s work has re-defined art and subverted most people’s pre-conceptions of what it means to be an ‘artist’. So, when he announced that he was switching his medium from graffiti to film, we were understandably excited.

Much of the energy and power of ‘a Banksy’, comes from his complete fury at the phoniness and hype of the art world. Therefore, it is not surprising that this is the subject of his first film, ‘Exit through the Gift Shop’.

The film is a trajectory of mediums; part documentary, part music video. Shot by Thierry Guetta, it provides a window into the at once intriguing and intimidating world of street art. Showing beauty and then completely subverting what it means – we think it is breathtaking.

Have you seen it yet?

Lots of love,

IL2L

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