If you’re not already familiar with the underground graffiti artist, Banksy, then you must direct yourself to this site. Little is known about the artist. He moves quietly, anonymously marking walls with his creative, yet often socio-political, messages. He’s controversial and he’s everywhere. You can see his art all over England, where he was born and raised, in the Israeli West Bank, New Orleans (post-Katrina), Los Angeles, Alabama…the list goes on. 
He traveled to New Orleans this past August in order to produce a series to commemorate the third anniversary of the hurricane. The art is most noticeable on buildings that have remained derelict. Wikipedia notes, “Banksy’s stencils feature striking and humorous images occasionally combined with slogans. The message is usually anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment. Subjects include animals such as monkeys and rats, policemen, soldiers, children, and the elderly.”
I first learned of Banksy only recently, after a friend wrote a brief blog post about him. Since then, I have noticed his work in various nooks and crannies. He has exhibited in the traditional sense, but, as one can imagine, his exhibitions lean on the alternative side. For example, in 2003 he took over a London warehouse for a show called “Turf War” in which he spray-painted animals. He has also placed some of his work in various museums without their knowledge, most notably in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 2004, he walked into the Louvre and hung his own version of a Mona Lisa, with a yellow smiley face. He has been quoted as saying, “To actually [have to] go through the process of having a painting selected must be quite boring, It’s a lot more fun to go and put your own one up.” As expected, some do not appreciate the significance of his work — One borough in London has deemed it vandalism and will remove any evidence of the “offensive” graffiti.
Some of his work can also be seen in the films “Children of Men” and “Shoot ‘Em Up” (both starring Clive Owen, coincidentally). In addition, he has self-published books of his art which include some of his own writings. For example, 2001’s Banging Your Head Against A Brick Wall and Existencilism in 2002.
His real name is unknown. The Banksy website is not officially his. And, apparently, his own parents are under the impresion that their son is a painter and decorator. Much has been written about this shadow of an artist and I imagine that his work will continue to be followed with great scrutiny.
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