The iconic tale, Animal Farm is deeply rooted during the Russian Revolution. The book by George Orwell has inspired and influenced many ideas that followed. The messages in the novel can be seen in today’s culture such as the world of art. Banksy is probably the most well known street artist today. Banksy is thought to have been born in Bristol, England, around 1974. His identity is unknown, which contributes to a kind a revolution and movement larger than himself. Banksy has traveled all around the world using graffiti and other forms of artwork as his voice. His works are now highly sought after, and he is wanted by the law, but has not been found. He stands for various ideas that mostly all lead to people opening up their eyes about what is going on around them. To get his message across he uses a unique stenciling style along with a satirical point, similar to Orwell’s satire in Animal Farm. Banksy’s artwork is seen to some as a nuisance and no better than if a child did it, but others see it as a statement. In Animal Farm, propaganda is spread all around and forced upon the animals. Similarly, Banksy is strongly against advertising, commercialism, and consumerism which are forms of propaganda and brainwashing. In Animal Farm, Napoleon represents the government and authority that suppresses and misleads the people. This translates to authority Banksy talks about. Banksy’s work can also be seen as an allegory, since most of his pieces have a dual meaning. When first looked at, his work has a simple and straightforward visual aspect, but each has a deeper meaning that takes thought and could be looked at in many different ways. Animal Farm is seen as an allegory as well, as the animals are living their lives, but there is more to it than just the motions. The animals revolt, but then forget who they are and what they stood for and fall into the trap of conforming and accepting their lives how they are. The themes in Banksy’s artwork stand for things similar to what is being ridiculed in Animal Farm. Many of Banksy’s characters are animals including his famous rat, which he says could be seen as a role model. Banksy’s use of satire comes from mockery, irony, and pointing out in clear view the flaws in the things he is opposing. Orwell does the same thing in his story, by putting a spotlight on the elephant in the room. His message of staying true to one’s identity and fight for the oppressed is still alive and well through works that can be represented through people as well as animals.
“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages.”
“On Painting Rats, and the Glorification of Them. They exist without permission. They are hated, hunted and persecuted. They live in quiet desperation amongst the filth. And yet they are capable of bringing entire civilizations to their knees. If you are dirty, insignificant, and unloved then rats are the ultimate role model.”
“If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then you have to live a lie.”
“A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to."
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. New York: Penguin Group, 1956. Print.
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