Who is Banksy?

This is a photograph of a piece of graffiti. It is by the world-famous British artist Banksy.

Banksy does not like people to know their identity so they make their art in secret, even though it is often in busy places.

Their work is often about war, politics and other issues that they think are important.

Banksy’s work encourages people to think about things that affect their lives and consider whether they think something in society is right or wrong.

One of Banksy's well-known pieces is called Sweep it Under the Carpet and was made in 2006 on a wall in London.

It shows a maid sweeping dirt under the cover of a brick wall. It's thought that Banksy painted it to show how he feels some countries ignore serious issues elsewhere in the world.

Banksy uses a technique called stencilling to make their art . They use spray paints to create the design on walls, trains, street signs and bridges

Stencils are created by cutting out a design from thin plastic or card. Paint is then applied through the stencil onto the surface behind.

Banksy created a stencil beforehand to make spray painting the walls quicker and easier. They were also able to produce several, identical versions of the same image by using this technique.

You may have used stencils such as alphabet stencils before. You could try making your own stencil using scissors and a paintbrush to create your design. If you have a responsible adult to help you then you could try using a special cutting tool called a scalpel. This can be used to cut your design out of a thin piece of plastic or card.

Remember to always have permission to paint on a surface before you do!

• Banksy was inspired by the work of French graffiti artist Blek Le Rat.
• The word graffiti comes from the Greek word 'graphein' which means 'to write'.
• Banksy once painted the words we’re bored of fish in the penguin enclosure at London Zoo.

• Although Banksy’s identity is unknown, we do know they were born in Bristol in England.
• Even though some graffiti is illegal because it is done without permission, some graffiti is commissioned.