Though extremely secretive and mysterious, Banksy is one of the most important names on the contemporary art map. His introduction to art and early years shaped him as an artist who revolutionized our perception of street art.

   Beginnings

  Banksy was born in Bristol, UK, in the 1970s. The name Banksy is a pseudonym - his real name remains a mystery. His early years were far less controversial than his adulthood. He grew up in a conservative, working-class environment, where art was not presented as a real and viable career path.

  Bristol, the city where he grew up, had a strong hip-hop culture scene, consisting of music, dance and, of course, graffiti art. As a young man, Banksy was fascinated by graffiti and began exploring this genre of street art. He initially painted freehand, which was the traditional style of graffiti, but moved to using stencils after he was caught painting a train. The stencils, which are now a distinctive feature of his art, enabled him to create works faster, which was key to avoiding detection.

   First inspirations

  Banksy drew inspiration from a variety of sources, but two figures seem to have had the greatest influence on his early work. The first is French artist Blek le Rat, a pioneer of stencil art who decorated Paris with his work from the 1980s onward. His use of stencils and socio-political commentary inspired Banksy to emulate this style and themes.
 
  The other figure who inspired Banksy is a British 3D artist who is considered the first to start painting graffiti images in 3D. Banksy and 3D met when Banksy joined a group of graffiti artists known as DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ) in Bristol, which helped him develop his skills and styles.

   Introduction to Art

  Banksy began as a traditional graffiti artist, painting walls and trains in Bristol. His early work was similar to traditional graffiti, but by then he was beginning to experiment with larger socio-political comments. This approach distinguished him from most graffiti artists, who focused mainly on creating beautiful or intricate artwork rather than conveying a specific message.

  Over the years, Banksy has firmly decided on art as his way of life, even though this decision seemed unpopular and uncertain. He is now one of the most recognizable artists in the world, and his works are coveted by collectors and seen by millions.

  Banksy was and is a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of what is traditionally considered art. His early years and introduction to art were the foundation on which he built his career, and his influence on contemporary art is undeniable. He continues to surprise and provoke while maintaining his anonymity and focusing on art instead of fame.