riannan
Banksy has become infamous in the art world. The anonymous artist has put up his artwork all over the world. Not only is his artwork beautiful, but it also sends powerful messages about social issues and our world in general. Here is a list of 130 of his pieces and where to find them
Monkey Parliament
Banksy’s art piece that shows the politicians in Parliament as chimpanzees can be found in the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. This scene marks the day that Brexit was voted for and passed.
Season’s Greetings
“Season’s Greetings” can be found in Port Talbot. It takes up two sides of a corner on an old garage and shows a child playing in what looks like snow. Around the corner, you’ll see the “snow” is actually ash from a burning trash can.
The Mild Mild West
“Mild Mild West” can be seen in Stokes Croft, Bristol on the side of a building. Many admirers believe that it is a representation of the Bristol riots from the 1980s.
Rage, Flower Thrower
This iconic graffiti can be found in Jerusalem. It’s a message about keeping peace in the Middle East. Rather than throwing a Molotov Cocktail, this person is throwing a bouquet of flowers instead.
One Nation Under CCTV
Big brother is watching. This painting can be found in London. We aren’t quite sure how Banksy was able to pull off painting a three-story building without being detected, but here it is.
The Grim Reaper
Located in Bristol on the Thekla boat, the nightclub Banksy painted this on asked its customers whether they thought it should stay or not. The answer was a resounding yes.
Man Hanging From Window
This man hanging from a fake window can be seen in Bristol. Banksy wasn’t aware that he had painted this on the side of a sexual health clinic. When he found out that’s what it was, he couldn’t help but love the irony.
Steam Roller Traffic Warden
In London, you can see the “Steam Roller Traffic Warden.” Painted in 2009, Banksy played off of the hate for traffic wardens everywhere.
This Is Not a Photo Opportunity
In Somerset, just off of Cheddar Gorge, drivers can see this phrase painted 40 meters up on a rock. It was first painted in 2004 and has since faded due to the weather.
Bomb Hugger
In 2003, this picture of a young girl holding a bomb appeared in London’s East End. It shows the connection between innocence and the violence of war.
Snorting Copper
This image can be seen throughout London like behind the Waterloo Station. Along with this picture, Banksy also left a line of paint leading up to the man that represented cocaine.
Sweep It Under the Carpet
In North London, one of Bansky’s most famous pieces of art can be found. This image shows a maid sweeping up and hiding the dirt under a carpet. This represents the ignoring of serious world issues.
Washing Zebra Stripes
This unique painting can be found in Timbuktu, Mali. It shows a woman washing the stripes of a zebra and hanging them up to dry with the naked zebra next to her watching. It’s meant to show how using water like this is frivolous and the rest of the world needs to pay attention to the crisis in Mali.
Child Soldier
The “Child Soldier” can be seen in Los Angeles. Banksy has a repetitive theme of pairing children with weapons or factors of war. It can be found in Westwood, LA on the wall of an Urban Outfitters.
Guantanamo Bay Detainee
Inspired by the declaration of war on terror after 9/11, Banksy painted this disturbing piece of art in London. This is to remind people that we only live under the impression that we are free. We are not actually completely free.
No Ball Games
“No Ball Games” was first seen in North London. However, in 2013 the Sincura Group has displayed it in an exhibition called “Stealing Banksy.” Although, Banksy has stated that he doesn’t have any connection to the group.
Slave Labour
To mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Banksy painted this piece of art in London. It shows a child laborer working to sew the flag of England. However, it was removed in February of 2013, less than a year after it was painted.
Kissing Coppers
“Kissing Coppers” can be seen in Brighton. Banksy often taunts the law enforcement in England and this painting of two male police officers kissing definitely made some officers angry.
Police Sniper
This painting of a police officer with a sniper and a child behind him ready to give him a scare can be found in Bristol on the side of the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Unfortunately, the piece was ruined in 2012 and covered up.
Gun-Toting Clown
Bristol is home to this disturbing painting. It’s similar to his artwork of children in the fact that an innocent and childish clown can be seen with two guns. It’s a reminder that people do not stay innocent forever.
Lenin Punk
Banksy mocks ex-Soviet premier Lenin in this piece of artwork found in Weston-super-Mare. It’s located on the wall of a public bathroom.
Lenin on Roller Blades
Banksy wasn’t done making satires of Lenin. This painting was actually sold at an auction to an exceptionally high bidder.
Cash Machine Girl
In London, art lovers can see this painting of a girl being grabbed by a robotic arm coming out of an ATM. It’s clear that Banksy is not a fan of capitalism and likes to take stabs at powerful banks.
Gangsta Rat
“Gangsta Rat” can be found in London as well as other locations. It was first spotted at Moorsfield Eye Hospital. The rat was later sold at an auction.
Follow Your Dreams – Cancelled
This piece can be seen in Boston on the side of a restaurant in Chinatown. The morbid and sad painting has the word “Cancelled” pasted over the phrase “follow your dreams.”
Because I’m Worthless
Rats seem to be a theme of Banksy’s. This particular painting can be found in London. It’s also similar to a Parisian artist from the 1980s who also stenciled rats.
Security Guard with Pink Balloon Dog
This piece of artwork was in tact for just a few days when it was discovered in Ontario, Canada. Someone decided to ruin and vandalize the painting, particularly the officer’s face.
Rodeo Cowboy Kid
Banksy couldn’t help himself when the arrived in New York and saw this exposed brick on the side of a building. He decided to paint a quick cowboy on it and make it look like a horse.
There Is Always Hope
This piece of art is Banksy’s most iconic work. It was first seen in South Bank, London in 2002. Nobody knows for sure what the painting means, but it has been debated for years.
The Thinker Monkey
It’s believed that this painting first appeared on a canvas before being put up on a wall. Many people interpret the painting as a message to humans that we are not the only intelligent species on this earth.
Keep Your Coins, I Want Change
There is still some debate as to whether this painting is by Banksy for not. It was discovered in Melbourne, Australia. It shows a homeless man begging for change in the world rather than money.
If Graffiti Changed Anything – It Would Be Illegal
Graffiti is a powerful way to send a message, but it doesn’t do too much change in the world. This Banksy artwork was first seen in London in 2011. It’s a play on the quote “If voting ever changed anything, it would be illegal,” by Emma Goldman.
Panda with Guns
While this painting is iconic and often associated with Banksy, it most likely belongs to Julien Fanton D’Andon. It was first seen in Bristol.
This’ll Look Nice When It’s Framed
This painting was first discovered in San Francisco in 2010. While nobody is sure what it means, it’s definitely an iconic Banksy painting.
Graffiti is a Crime
In true Banksy fashion, he painted this ironic piece in New York in October 2013. He pokes fun at the sign posted by the police saying, “Graffiti is a crime.”
Keith Haring Dog
This piece of art was found in Bermondsey, London in the fall of 2010. Banksy took inspiration from Keith Haring’s style and included his own for an interesting juxtaposition.
Flying Balloon Girl
This is another famous work of Banksy’s. It can be seen on the West Bank wall in Israel. It represents a girl trapped due to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
Interest in People
This piece can be seen on the side of a clothing shop in Toronto. It shows a salesman who is clearly in it just for the money and does not care about people at all.
Don’t Forget Your Scarf
This painting was first seen at an exhibit in Bristol called “Banksy Versus Bristol Museum.” It sends the message that people shouldn’t conform to society and stand up for what they believe in.
Drunk Angel
The “Drunk Angel” was first painted on the side of the London Bridge, but was covered up. It shows a failed angel drinking liquor from a bottle and smoking a cigarette, defeated.
Soldiers Painting CND Sign
This piece of art was first seen near the Houses of Parliament in London. Many interpret the message to be that the government was oppressing freedom of speech.
Injured Buddha
This painting was featured in 2008 Cans Festival that took place in London. It was located on Leake Street, which is also referred to as “Banksy Tunnel” due to all of his work along the street.
Ghetto Boy
This painting appeared in Hackney and caused quite the controversy. The boy can be seen carrying a boom box, dressed in gangster clothing, and holding a teddy bear. Many people believe that Banksy was making a comment on the increased gang presence in the area.
One Original Thought
Banksy used a quote by Diogenes for this painting in Brooklyn. A little boy can be seen sitting on a trash basket writing the quote on the side of the wall.
Swing Girl
In Los Angeles, Banksy saw this half-faded “Parking” sign and couldn’t help but add his own touch to it. So, he painted a girl swinging from the “A” and left half of the word faded.
Bubble Slide Girl
This painting of a little girl blowing bubbles was found on the side of a youth club in Hackney. Banksy also made use of the drain pipe as a slide for the little girl.
Secured
Nobody is sure if this piece of art actually belongs to Banksy. It was found on an abandoned building in Liverpool. Even though it was featured in the “Stealing Banksy” exhibition, it’s still unclear if he is the one who painted it.
Gorilla Artist
Another painting located on Leake Street in London is the “Gorilla Artist.” It shows a monkey painting the side of the building. It was also part of the Cans Festival in 2008.
CGHQ Government Spies Telephone Box
This intricate painting can be found in Cheltenham. It shows a telephone box surrounded by agents trying to overhear a conversation in a telephone box.
Girl and Mouse
While Banksy was visiting New Orleans, he saw an opportunity to paint this picture. Pay attention to the mouse on the bottom left. It’s made out of the small patch of exposed brick.
Napalm Girl
Banksy sends a clear message about consumerism with this painting. It shows the iconic napalm girl from the 1970’s holding hands with Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
Stop and Search
This powerful painting can be found in Bethlehem. It shows the role reversal of a girl searching a soldier for weapons or drugs. While the painting is still in its original location, it has faded over the years.
Sorry… The Lifestyle You Ordered
Banksy put up this piece of art on the side of a failed housing project in London. Unfortunately, due to the recession, the project couldn’t be completed and left many people struggling for housing.
Love Plane
Seen on Wapping Street in London, this painting shows a plane trying to draw a heart in the sky. A similar painting can also be seen in Liverpool, but has white smoke rather than red.
Camera Man and Flower
Located on in a coffee shop in Park City, Utah, Banksy painted this picture of a photographer photographing a flower. Notice how the flower is the only colorful part of the painting.
Hammer Boy
During Banksy’s “New York Residency,” he painted this picture on the 20th day. In typical Banksy fashion, he noticed something that was already there and decided to add to it.
Bronx Zoo
Many people have named this animal the Tagular due to the tags and symbols. It is located at Yankee Stadium in New York and was painted on the 30th day of Bansky’s residency in New York.
Peaceful Hearts Doctor
Banksy painted this picture in San Francisco. It shows an old school doctor checking the rate of a heart next to a peace symbol. Unfortunately, the piece of art has since been vandalized.
Pissing Soldier
This painting was discovered in London and is a satire of the guards outside of Buckingham Palace. Since they are not able to move on shift, this painting of a guard taking a leak on a wall is definitely disgraceful to the Queen.
Tap Phoned
When news broke out about journalists hacking phones and voicemails in England, Banksy decided to put up this painting in London. The cartoon character can be seen saying, “Oh no… my tap’s been phoned.”
Umbrella Girl
“Umbrella Girl” can be found in New Orleans heavily guarded. There is a security guard near the painting at all hours of the day to make sure it is not ruined or vandalized.
Yellow Lines Flower Painter
Banksy uses the yellow lines on the streets of London for this piece of art. He portrays a painter sitting down next to a large yellow flower on the wall.
Rat 3D Glasses
This painting was discovered until the snow melted in Park City, Utah in 2010. You can tell that this is by Banksy because of the rat, which is a common theme in his work.
Take This Society
Banksy enjoys sticking it to the man, so it’s no surprise that he painted this picture in London. You can see a child painting the words “Take this – society!” on the side of a wall with a paint can underneath.
Think Tank
This photo is actually the cover for Blur’s seventh album. Many were disappointed that Banksy would “sell out” to the entertainment industry, but he decided to use the photo as graffiti to promote the art.
Looting Soldiers
Banksy took inspiration from the looting that happened during Hurricane Katrina and painted this picture in New Orleans. It shows two soldiers looting a house and taking expensive electronics.
Javelin Thrower
When the Olympics were held in London in 2012, Banksy created an Olympic-themed picture. This shows a javelin thrower launching a missile into the air.
If At First You Don’t Succeed
In San Francisco, you can see this Banksy artwork making a comment on the airstrikes ordered by the US. It shows a boy in a gas mask next to the phrase “If at first you don’t succeed – call an airstrike.”
I’m Out of Bed Rat
This painting can be seen in multiple locations including Los Angeles, New York, and Italy. At first it was done in LA, but moved to Brooklyn, then Italy to be restored.
Cave Painting Removal
This unique painting was only visible for 4 months in 2008 on Leake Street in London before other pieces of artwork covered it. It’s actually pretty ironic that the painting shows someone erasing cave paintings and this painting itself was covered up.
Blank Walls Are Criminal
Blank walls are truly a crime when it comes to an artist’s perspective. Banksy is simply called to fill up any blank spaces that he may see while walking around cities.
Fake Plato Quote
Banksy decided to play a trick on the residents of New York by painting a fake quote by Plato in Brooklyn. This was installed on the 8th day of his residency.
Tox
Banksy is known to stir up controversy. So, when a fellow street artist was convicted of tagging multiple locations, Banksy painted this. He was especially mad that the prosecution claimed that Tox, the artist, was “no Banksy.”
Thug for Life Bunny
This thug bunny was first seen in London, but has since been covered. The juxtaposition of the cartoon bunny holding a cigar is a clear Banksy trademark. It may be a comment on how hip hop and rap music influences the younger generation.
Very Little Helps
Found in London on Essex Road in 2008, this piece of art features three children. Two children are pledging to a bag with the Tesco brand on it while the third child is raising it. Oftentimes, people would add a real Tesco bag to the painting.
Sunflower Field Gas Mask
Society doesn’t seem to accept street art as Banksy would like. So, he painted this artwork in London to show how the public sees graffiti artists like him.
No Trespassing
This important piece of art showed up in San Francisco. It shows a Native American holding a sign that reads “No Trespassing.” Unfortunately, some people of San Francisco didn’t care for the painting and it was vandalized and covered up just a year later.
No Future
This important Banksy painting only lasted a week when it was discovered in Southampton in 2010. It features a little girl holding a balloon. The balloon also doubles as an “O” in the phrase “No Future.”
I Love You
Simple yet inspiring, this painting can be found at the Isle of Wight. There is an hourglass at the end of the phrase with a heart running down the middle. Some people interpret the painting as love eventually runs out.
Forgive Our Trespassing
In Salt Lake City, Banksy added this piece of artwork to the side of a building at the Sundance Festival in 2010. Some interpret the painting as Banksy feeling guilt for tagging and “vandalizing” places and is asking for forgiveness.
Aerial Flower Girl
This painting of a girl’s silhouette watering a telephone pole was seen in Los Angeles. The owner of the building eventually auctioned the painting off after cutting it out from the wall.
Baby Carriage
This may be one of Banksy’s earliest paintings. It was discovered in Chicago. It’s impressive that the painting can still be seen today considering Chicago’s strict removal of street art.
Abraham Lincoln
Banksy makes another statement about the reconstruction of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina with this painting of Abraham Lincoln. He portrays Lincoln as a homeless man on a building that was destroyed in the storm.
You Looked Better on MySpace
MySpace introduced the idea of being cat fished when girls only posted ultra flattering photos of themselves. This painting in Los Angeles shows an old woman with the phrase “You looked better on MySpace” next to her.
I Must Not Copy What I See on The Simpsons
Another piece that can be found in New Orleans is this realistic vision of Bart Simpson writing “I must not copy what I see on the Simpsons” on a chalkboard. This was painted well before Banksy designed an opening sequence for the show.
Tesco Sandcastle
Banksy obviously doesn’t approve of the consumer culture we live in. So, when this painting was discovered in Hastings, people took to his controversy. It shows a little kid building a sandcastle with Tesco bags.
Storm Troopers Filming Oscars
This mural fits perfectly in Hollywood where it was discovered. It shows Storm Troopers from Star Wars filming a television show. Some believe that it is for an awards show such as The Oscars.
Death of a Telephone Box
The red telephone box is a staple of London culture. However, this painting showed up in London on Soho Street one night. It shows a telephone box bent in half and blood seeping out of it.
Robot and Barcode
Here is another piece of art that Banksy created while in New York. It features a robot spray-painting a barcode on the side of a building. It was painted on the 28th day of his residency in Coney Island.
Space Girl with Bird
This was actually commissioned by Blur for their album Think Tank. It can be found in Chicago. It features a girl in a scuba helmet holding a yellow bird.
Smiley Grim Reaper
Banksy puts a twist on the typical portrayal of the Grim Reaper by adding a yellow smiley face to it. It can be seen in Shoreditch on a brick wall.
Let Them Eat Crack
Yet another rat mural made its way onto the walls of New York. The phrase, “let them eat crack” is a play off of Marie Antoinette’s infamous quote, “Let them eat cake” during the French Revolution.
London Calling
Bansky took inspiration from the album London Calling when he painted this picture in London. It shows a man slamming a desk chair into the ground, clearly fed up with the office culture.
Winnie the Pooh Bear Trap
This painting of Winnie the Pooh caught in a bear trap was seen in Bristol. You will notice that Pooh’s jar, which usually consists of honey, actually consists of money.
Old Skool
This painting of four men can be seen on Clerkenwell Road in London. It shows young adults loitering on the street listening to music, just like the good old days.
Musicians (Gas Mask Marching Band)
New Orleans is famous for its music culture. So, Bansky took inspiration and painted this marching band wearing gas masks on a wall in New Orleans. Unfortunately, the building it was painted on was demolished.
Fridge Kite
Another piece of Banksy’s work in New Orleans shows a child flying a kite, which happens to be a refrigerator. It is a comment about the poverty that appears in the city and the fact that children are going hungry.
I Remember When All This Was Trees
Seen in Detroit, this painting makes a statement about the controversy over the Packard auto plant. People argued over who was responsible for cleaning up abandoned lots in the city as trash piled up. It was this painting that also started debates as to who owned the land as well.
Ice Cream Bomb
This picture of a child holding an ice cream cone with a bomb in it was first seen at the beach in Brighton. It is another typical Banksy work with a child and some type of war reference.
Girl with Skipping Rope
A girl playing jump rope can be seen in the Brooklyn neighborhood of New York City. What stands out the most in this photo is the bright green jump rope that leads out onto the street.
Kentucky Fox
This morbid photo shows the silhouette of a fox dragging the decapitated head of the KFC mascot along the ground. The artwork can be seen in London near the Angel Tube.
KKK
Banksy made his message loud and clear when he visited Birmingham, Alabama. This painting shows a member of the KKK hanging from a noose. The city quickly painted over it once it was discovered.
Last Graffiti Before Motorway
Banksy first painted this picture at the intersection of A1 and North Circular Road in North London. Unfortunately, the painting was so vandalized that it had to be removed.
Love is the Answer
This Banksy painting shows Albert Einstein holding a sign that reads “Love is the Answer” next to a dog. You’ll also notice that there is a pink heart on the dog’s chest. This painting became famous through Banksy’s film Exit Through the Gift Shop.
No Ball Games
There are plenty of rat paintings by Bansky in London. This one in particular sends the message that he plays by his own rules. It shows a rat playing with a ball under a sign that prohibits ball games.
Toxic Rat
Another rat painting in London shows a rat spilling a bucket with a toxic substance. You can see the contents spilling off the wall and onto the ground.
TV Through the Window
This is one of Banksy’s paintings in London that has been somewhat preserved. While a little faded, it is now behind plywood boards. It shows a television set being thrown out of a window.
Mobile Phone Lovers
Banksy painted this picture on the door of a boys club in Bristol, England. It shows a couple kissing while also looking at their phones. It’s a direct commentary on how mobile devices run our lives and can ruin relationships.
Waiting in Vain
Found in New York, Banksy painted a man waiting with a bouquet of wilting flowers. It was painted on the shutters of a hustler club downtown.
Ghetto for Life
This painting may be one of Banksy’s most controversial in New York. It shows a young boy spray-painting “Ghetto 4 life” on a wall while a butler waits to serve him. Many New Yorkers were outraged because of the stereotypes it portrayed.
Better Out Than In
Banksy got ultra creative when he noticed flowers growing up a crack in this wall. He painted the silhouette of a boy throwing up the flowers, probably a play on the slang term “throw up” in the street art culture. It can be found in Los Angeles.
Twin Towers
While in New York, Bansky paid homage to the fallen Twin Towers with this silhouette painting. He also added a bright orange flower to one of the towers to represent the explosion of the plane crashing into it.
This Is My New York Accent
Banksy took on the persona of a New Yorker during his Better Out Than In project. He uses different typical graffiti fonts in the first part and then his normal font in the second part. It clearly shows that he is simply visiting New York.
Policeman Searching Girl
Seen in Glastonbury, this painting shows the problem with random stop and search. It shows a police officer patting down a young girl with a teddy bear and school bag. Unfortunately, the painting has been covered up.
Osama Sunbathing
In order to see this Bansky painting, one has to hike quite a ways in San Francisco. It is a play on the thought that Osama Bin Laden may have been hiding in the US after 9/11.
Mona Lisa with Rocket Launcher
Banksy took inspiration from the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa. He reimagined her as a terrorist with a rocket launcher in this painting in London, though.
Laugh Now
A common theme in Banksy’s work is that apes may be smarter than humans. This painting appeared in Los Angeles and was recreated on white boards to be sold at auctions.
I Don’t Believe in Global Warming
Seen on a wall near the Regent’s Canal in London, Banksy’s simple yet effective painting states “I don’t believe in global warming” as the water rises and covers the last two words. This is a statement on the fact that the UN has failed to tackle the issue.
Hitchhiker to Anywhere
Seen in London, this painting shows Charles Manson trying hitch a ride from a stranger to anywhere. It was defaced in by a rival artist, but was later restored.
Gorilla with Pink Mask
This large gorilla wearing a pink face mask could be seen in Bristol, which is where Banksy lived for a while. It was originally painted on the exterior wall of a social club, but was later painted over when the building changed owners.
Dove of Peace
This dove wearing a bullet proof vest and a red target over its heart can be seen in Bethlehem. It keeps Banksy’s similar theme of wanting peace between Israel and Palestine.
Cut It Out
Another statement about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict shows a perforated line along the West Bank wall in Palestine. The scissors represent cutting down the wall and letting people reunite.
Angel in Bulletproof Vest
Banksy uses angels in a lot of his artwork. This one in particular shows an angel in a bullet proof vest holding a skull wearing a baseball cap in London. It is a tribute to fellow artist Ozone, who died in 2007.
Nighthawks Forever
This mural isn’t typical for Banksy. It is actually a parody of Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks Forever. In this version, a man throws a chair at the window of a diner. Perhaps it’s a statement on the difference in values people have now compared to a few decades ago.
Burning Tire
This painting of a child running after a burning tire popped up on the wall of a primary school in Bristol. The childlike artwork is unique to Banksy’s message.
Israeli and Palestinian Pillow Fight
This painting can be seen on the wall of a hotel owned by Bansky near the West Bank. It shows an Israeli soldier and Palestinian having a pillow fight with feathers flying everywhere.
Draw the Raised Bridge
Located in Hull, this painting shows a boy with a toy sword and a colander on his head ready to fight. Next to him it reads “Draw the raised bridge!”
Brexit Star
After the vote for Brexit, Bansky took to his canvas and created this masterpiece. It shows a man removing the UK’s star in the European Union.
Rat on a Wheel
This small piece of artwork shows a rat running on a wheel that just so happens to be a clock. It can be seen in New York City, but not for long. The building is planned to be demolished in the near future.
Silvia
