Street Artist Banksy Takes up Residence in NYC

Photograph from banksyny.com

UK street artist Banksy is spending October in New York, spreading his unique art around the city. The "exhibit" is called "Better Out Than In" and pieces have been popping up in different locations around Manhattan and Brooklyn since the beginning of the month.


Banksy is probably the best-known street artist in the world. He's a shadowy figure, his identity a mystery. His art blurs the line between graffiti and studio art. His images often play off the environment, such as a picture of a beaver standing next to a fallen street sign as if it has just gnawed through the pole. Other pieces show similar whimsy.

Banksy has also shown a more serious side, making a political statement about the Iraq war in a painting on the Lower East Side. A phone number written nearby leads to a recording of a battle that was released by WikiLeaks.

Banksy also spent some time in LA last month, leaving behind a mural that promoted his time in New York.

Street art is by nature ephemeral, with several of Banksy's murals having been painted over or simply chiseled out of walls to be sold. This has sparked a conversation about the conflict posed by public art on private property.

The exhibition is expected to continue until the end of the month. Photographs of the pieces, with an accompanying audio tour can be seen at banksyny.com.

Do you have an opinion on street art? Seen any of interesting art around your area? Let us know in the comments!

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