Banksy: You are an acceptable level of threat

Updated Edition: More Pages! More Pics! More words! Includes Banksy's October 2013 NY residency 'Better Out Than In'and updated to include Banksy's new work, the 2015 edition of Banksy You Are features the controversial ‘Cheltenham Spies’ piece as well as ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, ‘Art Buff’ and the spectacular ‘Mobile Lovers’ which appeared outside Bristol Boys Boxing Club. The single best collection of photography of Banksy’s street work that has ever been assembled for print. If that isn’t enough there are some words too. Much to the chagrin of art schools everywhere, it is likely that Banksy will be the best remembered artist of post-millennial-depression Britain. His capacity to grab attention and deliver a message, often with a punch line or hidden layer of meaning would have landed him a great job in an advertising agency. Madison Avenue’s loss is our gain. If you’ve never heard of Banksy, this book is all you’ll ever need to read to be able to engage in pub table debates about the man and the legend. When Banksy started out painting the political landscape was bleak. Fortunately now, it’s ten times worse. So as Banksy’s cheerfully aggressive political work grows ever more relevant we take a stab at presenting his art in the context of the era he was responding to, looking at the issues his work was about. This book seeks to concentrate on his iconic imagery spanning the past decade, from Los Angeles to Lewisham (and everywhere inbetween), including many images never before seen. However, make no mistake; this is not a dull history book or dim-witted collection of mediocre fan snaps. This book is designed to ignite, provoke and inspire you - and is a work of art in itself.