Banksys Graffiti An indepth Analysis of Napalm Girl

Banksy’s Graffiti: An indepth Analysis of “Napalm Girl” Katie Ward

Preview • • Background Critical Approach Analysis Implications

Background - Banksy • • • art'searly task to 1990 s make manifest the Began“Itinisthe contradictions of Being…to form ‘Britain’sequitable most celebrated graffiti views by stirring up Artist’ contradictions within the spectator's Anonymous mind, and to forge accurate intellectual concepts from the dynamic Activist clash of opposing passions” Controversial & Satirical (Dickens, 2008)

Source: bbc. co. uk/london/

Background - • • • “Accidental Napalm Attack” Phan Thi Kim Phuc Vietnam War Missed target “one of the most infamous images of conflict ever captured. ” • Represents futility & damage of Vietnam war

Perspective by Incongruity • • • Critical approach Kenneth Burke Uses the juxtaposition of oppositional terms to create new meaning

Analyzing ‘Meaning’ • Anti-Consumerism Anti-Capitalism Anti-War o Combination of anti-war and o Overexposed photo + Mickey o Use of Phan Thi Kim Phuc anti-consumerism Ronald = Exploitation o and American Icons = America’s o Materialism involvement through “We can't do anything to change the comparison world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves, ” (Banksy).

Implications • Moral code ● Change toevoking thinkemotion of other countries, societies, o Making people think communities and humanities that we forget and neglect in our self-centralized worlds

Conclusion Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint (Banksy, 2006).