Bansky: Activist or Not?!

Bansky is an England-based graffiti artist and political activist.  But there are some people who question the validity of whether or not is a an activist.  Can a Graffiti artist be an activist?  I say....Why Not??!


There are two versions of the definition of activism that I want to point out in relation to whether or not Bansky can be considered an activist. 

The first definition is found in the Webster Dictionary says that activism is: a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue.  Sure, according to this definition what constitutes direct vigorous action, so can art consitute as activism?

Well according to this definition on wikipedia, a social platform:

Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental change, or stasis with the desire to make improvements in society and to change society. Forms of activism range from writing letters to newspapers or to politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing businesses, rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. One can also express activism through different forms of art (Artivism).BUT DOES GRAFFITI COUNT AS ART?! Is the common question and debate I hear, some consider it vandalism, however, in my eyes, what's different for "hanging a piece of art" or painting murals on walls, versus graffiti.  So Yes, Bansky is an activist, and in my 'eyes' a successful political artist/activist.  Here are a couple of my favorite images.

I would say that if the art makes a political/social statement, as these two images certainly do, it has the viewers thinking which is all any activist can aim for to persuade the audience.