Banksy: art or vandalism?

Banksy is one of the world’s most famous graffiti artists.
He is also a political activist. 
Banksy is a man of mystery. He hardly ever gives interviews and likes to be anonymous. 
Nobody knows much about his life or his background but many people believe that his real name is either Robin Gunningham, Robert Banks or Robin Banks and that he was born in 1973 near Bristol.

 

This graffiti was created in Bethlehem.
This mural "Girl frisking soldier" represents a little girl searching (= che perquisisce) a soldier. 
This painting on the wall subverts expectations. 
Who can you see in the picture?
What can you see next to the girl? What does it represent?
What does this graffiti criticise?

The "Girl with balloon" depicts a little girl sadly watching her red heart-shaped balloon fly away.
What colours is the little girl painted?
What does the red heart-shaped balloon represent?

This graffiti is titled "Nobody likes me".
What has the boy got in his hand?
Why is he crying?
What does Banksy criticise?

Who can you see in the picture?
What is he doing?
In your opinion what's the name of this graffiti?
Why do you think the artist painted this image?

Has Banksy painted a new mural in Venice?
This stencil represents a migrant child. 
He's wearing a lifejacket and holding a pink flare (= razzo di segnalazione).
Suggest a title for this work

Who can you see in the picture?
What is he trying to reach?

At present graffiti is a crime. 
Should graffiti be legalised?
Who gets to decide what is art and what is not?
Do you like street art?
Do you like Banksy's works?
Is all graffiti the same? Do graffiti artists like Banksy have a message to convey?

Activity 1. Role play
🎤You are a journalist working for a magazine. You have the chance to interview Banksy, the world’s greatest graffiti artist. Prepare some questions about his family, friends, school, his works, his "message" and his money.
Remember that Banksy is a very private person who hardly ever gives interviews.

Activity 2. 
🔍Search the Internet for images representing Banksy's works. Choose your favourite and describe it. 

Useful expressions:

🎨(What name?) This mural is titled... 
🎨 (Where) This graffiti is on a wall in... 
🎨(When?) It appeared in (year, month) ... 
🎨 (What?) This work represents/depicts ... 
🎨 (What colours?) The main colours are... 
🎨 (Why?) Banksy has spray-painted/created/drawn this stencil because ...

Banksy's back!

He's been in Venice again! 
Banksy has released a new video on his Twitter account where he sets up oil paintings creating an image of a giant cruise ship in the city's canal with a sign reading "Venice in oil".
In this video he wants to criticise the berthing (= attracco, ormeggio) of large cruise liners (= navi da crociera) in Venice´s Grand Canal.