I am a HARSH critic of various arts... and in many ways, I admit to being a prime candidate for the concept of "Those Who Can't Do, Criticise."

...but when someone asks for an honest opinion, I tend to give it. Key word being, OPINION.

That said, many of my friends and family know very well that it is a BAD idea to read me their poetry or show me drawings... or any sort of artistic endeavour.

That said, I can and will LOUDLY applaud when I see something wonderful.

Now, to bash myself even further before going on... Sandy Carlson has taken a LOT of flack from me about her love of taggers and various types of graffiti. I honestly do not share that love... in fact, I am often (far more often) appalled at what those who seek a moment's fame will do to deface something wonderful... I honestly liken most taggers especially to being little more than small-minded dogs peeing on a wall to mark "THEIR" territory.

THAT SAID...

Again, I will also applaud those who's graffiti transcends mere scrawled initials or various "commentary" on appropriate surfaces. There is some truly wonderful and amazing "graffiti art" to be seen in places that need a little colour.

One of the best known "public artists"... often called "Gorilla Artist"... is Banksy... and artist in Britain who's "stencilled" works have literally been done (and copied) worldwide... and who now commands literally tens of thousands of dollars for canvases and other creations...

Banksy does something remarkable... art that is indeed a bit of an assault on the senses... it's at one time SEEMINGLY destructive... but also thought provoking and often coyly interesting.

I linked to Banksy's site above... but allow me to lift share some images from Banksy's show in Bristol as posted on The BBC website this week... see if you agree...

The exhibit is called "Banksy versus Bristol Museum".

I first "found" Banksy through the stencilled graffiti though (two examples below)...

...and I was blown away by the efforts on the Israeli-Palestinian Security Wall which are truly astounding (one example below)...

Interested? Click on the links provided above... or here's Banksy's Wiki entry (which has a selection of photos worth seeing...)

From said entry...

In May 2005 Banksy's version of a primitive cave painting depicting a human figure hunting wildlife whilst pushing a shopping trolley was hung in gallery 49 of the British Museum, London. Upon discovery, they added it to their permanent collection.

Apparently, it took three days to "discover" the faked painting.

Banksy is a blessing to me... in several ways.

#1: The work is very good.

#2: Banksy's made me re-examine my own take on graffiti as a whole... though I still loath taggers and people incapable of doing more than spewing profanity in paint on a wall.

#3: The work IS undeniably thought provoking.

Lastly, #4... The projects done amuse, educate, and stimulate. A perfect trifecta in art for me.

My blessing today is the gorilla (and not-so gorilla) efforts of Banksy.

If you found ANY of the images above stimulating, PLEASE use the links and learn more...

Blog Your Blessing Sundays is a creation of NeoBluePanther... who may or may not be the famed Luchador!