Banksy on the

West Bank

Philpot Education

Instructions 1. Work in a group. Place the 8 cards in a

pile with the photographs of Banksy’s street art facing up. Turn over the top card and read what has been written on purpose, symbolism and textual analysis. Notice the use of language to connect and articulate Banksy’s aims and use of symbolism.

2. Study the next photograph. Before you turn it over, discuss the artist’s purpose, his use of symbolism, and how you could write one or two complete sentences to articulate and connect these ideas.

3. Compare your statements for each card with those on the back of each card, and work your way through the pile.

Purpose

Banksy aims to show Israelis how they are threatening peace in the region.

Symbolism

The dove with the olive branch symoblises peace. The bullet-proof vest represents protective measures and the red target symbolises military action.

Textual analysis

By depicting a dove with an olive branch, wearing a bullet-proof vest in the crosshairs of rifle, Banksy uses symbolism to make Israelis aware that their military action threatens peace in the region.

Purpose

Banksy aims to show viewers how futile walls and fences are in supressing human expression and desires for freedom.

Symbolism

The pole-vault jumper represents people’s desire to overcome challenges, reach new heights and take risks.

Textual analysis

By depicting a pole-vault jumper on the West Bank wall, jumping over a fence, Banksy uses symbolism to suggest that walls are futile in suppressing people’s desire to overcome challenges, reach new heights and take risks.

Purpose

Banksy aims to show Israelis how their wall on the West Bank robs Palestinians of their resources.

Symbolism

The Christmas tree symoblises festivity and presents symobolise material wealth. Tree stumps represent the use of natural resources. Walls symbolise a division of people.

Textual analysis

By depicting a walled-in Christmas tree with presents and tree stumps outside this wall, Banksy uses symbolism to imply that Israelis have stolen Palestine’s natural resources for their own exclusive use.

Purpose

Banksy aims to show how the innocence of youth will tear down Israel’s wall and divisive policies.

Symbolism

The boy with a bucket and a shovel represent the innocence of youth. The hole in the wall stands for a broken policy. A clear blue sky represents freedom and opportunity.

Textual analysis

By depicting a hole in the West Bank wall and a boy with a bucket and shovel under a clear blue sky on the other side, Banksy uses symbolism to suggest that the innocence of youth will tear down Israel’s wall and divisive policies.

Purpose

Banksy aims to show Israelis how their wall gives them an artificial sense of safety.

Symbolism

The sedan chairs, flowers and window with a view symoblise safety and homeliness. The cartoon style suggests artificiality. The mountains and forest are typical of a different climate than Israel’s.

Textual analysis

By depicting in a cartoon style two homey sedan chairs, flowers and a window with a view of a mountain lake on the West Bank wall, Banksy uses symbolism to show Israelis how unrealistic and artificial their wall is in providing them with safety.

Purpose

Banksy aims to show the viewer how Israeli acts of military aggression will not be tolerated by Palestinians.

Symbolism

Tanks are a symbol of military might and aggression. The ‘tow away zone’ sign symbolises policy and a judgement of what kind behaviour is intolerable.

Textual analysis

By depicting in the Palestinian Territories a ‘tow away zone’ sign with a tow truck pulling a tank, Banksy uses symbolism to show that Palestinians will not tolerate Israeli military aggression.

Purpose

Banksy aims to show Israelis how futile their efforts are to police and control Palestinians.

Symbolism

A soldier symbolises military force. An inspection of one’s ID card an act of dominance of one person over another. A Donkey represents stubbornness and the natural world which cannot be changed.

Textual analysis

By depicting the silhouette of an Israeli soldier checking the ID of a donkey, Banksy uses symbolism to show Israelis that their efforts to police and control Palestinians as futile as trying to tell a donkey what to do.

Purpose

Banksy aims to convince the world that the most effective form of protest is non-violent protest.

Symbolism

The Palestinian Keffiyeh is international symbol of protest, often worn as a mask against tear gas from riot police. A baseball cap turned backward usually suggests rebellion. Flowers are a sign of peace and an offering of friendship.

Textual analysis

By depicting the silhouette of a protester, wearing the Keffiyeh and a backward baseball cap, holding a bouquet of flowers where he would usually hold a Molotov cocktail, Banksy uses symbolism to convince the world that non-violent protest is the more effective than violent protest.