My lawyer’s opinion is that the cops might not actually be able to charge me with criminal damage any more – because theoretically my graffiti actually increases the value of property rather than decreasing it. That’s his theory, but then my lawyer also believes wearing novelty cartoon ties is a good look.
BANKSYI’ve learnt from experience that a painting isn’t finished when you put down your brush – that’s when it starts. The public reaction is what supplies meaning and value. Art comes alive in the arguments you have about it.
More Banksy Quotes
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If you want someone to be ignored then build a life-size bronze statue of them and stick it in the middle of town. It doesn’t matter how great you were, it’ll always take an unfunny drunk with climbing skills to make people notice you.
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People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish… but that’s only if it’s done properly.
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Sometimes I feel so sick at the state of the world I can’t even finish my second apple pie.
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I love the way capitalism finds a place – even for its enemies.
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Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.
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If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then you have to live a lie.
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I know street art can feel increasingly like the marketing wing of an art career, so I wanted to make some art without the price tag attached. There’s no gallery show or book or film. It’s pointless. Which hopefully means something.
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Nobody knows what you feel inside unless you tell them.
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I don’t know if street art ever really works indoors. If you domesticate an animal, it goes from being wild and free to sterile, fat and sleepy. So maybe the art should stay outside.
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I don’t think you should have to pay to look at graffiti. You should only pay if you want to get rid of it.
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Bus stops are far more interesting and useful places to have art than in museums.
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I wanted to highlight the destruction in Gaza by posting photos on my website – but on the internet, people only look at pictures of kittens.
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It doesn’t take much to be a successful artist-all you need to do is dedicate your entire life to it.
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Gaza is often described as ‘the world’s largest open air prison’ because no-one is allowed to enter or leave. But that seems a bit unfair to prisons – they don’t have their electricity and drinking water cut off randomly almost every day.
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Is graffiti art or vandalism? That word has a lot of negative connotations and it alienates people, so no, I don’t like to use the word ‘art’ at all.
BANKSY