Blog 1 Banksy Image S2

A picture is worth a thousand words says the old adage. There are some artists who even have the ability to capture much more than words, stirring emotions and ideas with their work. One such artist is the anonymous Banksy. One of his pieces, featuring a dove wearing a bullet proof vest with crosshairs on it, is a prime example of his ability to create rousing works of art. To better understand the image one must first look at its most basic form. The image itself is an image of a white dove, holding a branch with green leaves in its mouth. The dove is wearing a dark gray bullet proof vest. Over both the dove and the vest are red crosshairs, resembling what is seen through a scope. The meaning of the colors is also paramount in order to understand the true message behind the image. The dove, a symbol of peace, is bright white, representing purity and innocence. The green of the branch could represent life and a new beginning where peace and hope could be planted and cultivated. The striking dark gray of the vest is in contrast to the white purity of the dove, almost tainting it with a more sinister objective. The red of the crosshairs can represent rage and violence, while the crosshairs themselves could tell of intelligence and calculations as it takes a calm and level head to fire at a moving target accurately. All of these parts come together to try and make a cohesive image. The image itself though is not the end of the story of this work of art, the back round and stetting of the image are also key. The back round is simple in that it consists of nothing but a light gray back round. This color choice of a back round is profound in that the gray of the bullet proof vest is darker, a conscious point to use a darker color than the world surround the image. The physical setting of the image is also important as at the end of the wing tip of the dove is a square imperfection in the perfectly smooth wall. This imperfection brings reality back into the foreground of the image.

            When all of these elements of the image are compounded there can be many different political and social messages to be found. One message that seems to be a possible could be that the white dove represents peace carrying green life and prosperity but it is a peace that must be guarded from hatred and violence that has become smarter and more deadly. A peace that has to use means that are darker than the world around it as the back round is a lighter shade of gray than the bullet proof vest. If this peace has darkness is it then truly peace? The dove also has its wings out spread, in flight, bringing peace to the world in the mist of opposition. The sad thing is while this ideal is beautiful; reality, taken form in the square imperfection in the wall, clips the wings of the dove, reminding everyone that peace is an idea that is imperfect and flawed in reality.

            Banksy is an artist that will forever be remembered for his varied work and anonymity. Each of his pieces was created to debates over the political and social message behind the work. The unorthodox style and raw but calculated images spring forth ideas and emotions that lead to discussion and change. Banksy has created an image that is worth more than a thousand words. He has created an image where thoughts and emotions collide.