Banksy, Girl with Balloon

[pic 1]

Banksy is the pseudonym of an anonymous British artist, active since the 1990s. He is known for his satirical street art and as a film director. The artist uses stencil painting to convey his messages, which often mix politics, humor and poetry. I am going to tell you about one of his works that I particularly appreciate for its childish and innocent side which hides a kind of despair and frustration. This work is called "Girl with Balloon", it was produced in 2002 in London, more precisely on the Waterloo bridge in South Bank. Like I said I appreciate her a lot because it's not just a little girl who loses her ball. We are shown what frustration is for a child who is having fun peacefully and then suddenly the wind blows away this instrument of fun and happiness that is the ball. But this is only one way of seeing this work, in fact the shape of the balloon lets us think that this girl is losing her heart and that she is therefore leaving forever. What is certain is that everyone can interpret the work differently, young and old, that's also what I like about this work. In addition, urban art is quite a controversial art which makes it more denouncing than a simple canvas. For me it's the best way to make art because everyone has the possibility of contemplating "Girl with Balloon", the fact of being on the wall of a street makes her much more alive than if she was in a museum locked up with other works.

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