Banksy’s Artworks Ranked: From Kissing Coppers to Rutting Rhinos

Banksy has risen to fame by being famous, which is remarkable given that his true identity remains unknown. As with all renowned artists, his works often translate directly into cash value, making them as tempting to steal as they are widespread in popular culture. This summer, Banksy’s animal murals painted in unexpected locations across London have spurred their usual mix of admiration and excitement. But amidst his cult status, Banksy’s art fluctuates greatly in quality. At his peak, he’s an unrivaled satirical provocateur. At his worst, he straddles between being overly sentimental and ideologically blunt. So, which pieces by Banksy are genuinely noteworthy, and which should be forgotten?

Banksy’s “Napalm” encapsulates his tendency to trivialize serious issues. The artwork adds Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald to Nick Ut’s historic photograph of Phan Thị Kim Phúc, a napalm attack victim. This heavy-handed approach overshadows the original photograph without adding significant value.

“Girl with Balloon,” one of Banksy’s most recognized yet hollow pieces, first appeared on London’s South Bank in 2002. The image of a girl reaching for a heart-shaped balloon is reminiscent of John Everett Millais’ Victorian painting “Bubbles.” The sentiment is clear but shallow.

The recent series of animal murals in London proves how Banksy’s fame has outpaced his skill. The rampant vandalism, thefts, and the ensuing excitement feel almost robotic, offering little fresh insight into nature through these uninspired images.

“Love Is in the Air” features a masked protester throwing a bouquet of flowers. It’s a visual play of aggression met with peace, but its cleverness feels self-satisfied without truly addressing conflict. The violent gesture undermines the intended pacifist theme.

“Show Me the Monet” offers a modern twist on Monet’s iconic waterlily pond, cluttered with shopping carts and a traffic cone. Whether it critiques environmental pollution or mocks Monet’s romanticism, the piece lacks depth, coming off as rather foolish.

Banksy’s “Dismaland,” a parody of a seaside amusement park, hilariously critiques consumerism and bad art. Yet, in person, it was genuinely demoralizing, filled with mediocre art, including a tasteless depiction of Cinderella’s coach crash.

In New York, Banksy’s “Ronald McDonald Shoeshine” performance featured a live actor buffing a giant statue of Ronald McDonald. The target is too blatant, diminishing the impact of what could have been a genuinely thought-provoking piece.

“Migrant Child,” painted near a Venice canal, portrays a child in a lifejacket holding a flare. While intended as a statement on the refugee crisis, it could also be seen as another tourist attraction, adding little to Venice’s rich history.

In “Napoleon Crossing the Alps,” Banksy displays unexpected artistic skill with a faithful rendition of Jacques-Louis David’s classical painting. This Paris mural shows that even Banksy isn’t immune to Paris’s cultural allure.

In a recent London piece, Banksy delves into abstract art. A cloud of green paint behind a pruned tree reveals a witty, almost beautiful contrast, adding layers to the urban environment.

Banksy’s murals in Ukraine, created on bombed buildings in 2022, were acts of solidarity. The artwork resonated deeply, even appearing on Ukrainian postage stamps. One particularly evocative piece shows a child defeating a Putin-like figure in judo.

Christmas brings out Banksy’s sentimental side, evident in “Season’s Greetings.” This mural in Port Talbot features a child mistaking ash from a bin fire for snow, revealing the artist’s knack for blending heartwarming and harsh realities.

Banksy’s rats, iconic and biting symbols of rebellion, have infested London from Shoreditch to the City. These images capture the spirit of an anarchist underclass challenging authority, enhancing their powerful, sudden appearances in urban landscapes.

“Kissing Coppers,” one of Banksy’s early works, reimagines authority figures in compromising positions. This humorous yet poignant piece feels akin to a famous image of Communist leaders kissing on the Berlin Wall, adapted for a British audience.

“Sweep It Under the Carpet” artfully depicts a worker sweeping unwanted issues away. Located on the wall of London’s White Cube gallery, it sharply critiques art market hypocrisy, portraying the worker amidst the high-brow setting.

Banksy’s “God Bless Birmingham,” unveiled during Christmas, depicted Santa’s reindeer seemingly pulling a bench used by the homeless. It’s a seamless blend of painting with real life, done with genuine compassion and a touch of seasonal magic.

In “Migrant Bird,” Banksy painted a vividly colored African bird beset by drab locals in Clacton-on-Sea. The piece’s satire incited local controversy, with accusations of racism revealing how deeply it struck a chord.

Banksy made a statement about the art market’s commercialism with “Love Is in the Bin.” During a 2018 Sotheby’s auction, “Girl with Balloon” shredded itself upon selling for over £1 million. Ironically, the act only increased its value, later selling for nearly £19 million.

Banksy’s “Well Hung Lover,” an early work in Bristol, humorously depicts a naked man hanging from a window as his lover’s husband looks out. This piece, bursting with raw and joyful humor, distances itself from political overtones, focusing purely on human folly.

When Stormzy headlined Glastonbury in 2019 wearing a Banksy-designed stab-proof vest, it elevated the grime artist to iconic status. The vest, featuring a largely monochrome Union Jack, symbolizes protection and defiance against far-right extremism, solidifying Banksy’s impact on contemporary culture.

Source: Banksy, Guardian