If you feel dirty, insignificant or unloved, then rats are a good role model. They exist without permission, they have no respect for the hierarchy of society, and they have sex 50 times a day.
BanksyRead
But there's no way round it-commercial success is a mark of failure for a graffiti artist. We're not supposed to be embraced in that way. When you look at how society rewards so many of the wrong people, it's hard not to view financial reimbursement as a badge of self-serving mediocrity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Commercial success in graffiti undermines its authenticity and purpose.
Banksy's quote reflects the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success, suggesting that when graffiti artists gain financial recognition, it often conflicts with the rebellious, anti-establishment spirit of their art. He critiques society's tendency to reward what he sees as mediocrity, implying that true art should challenge norms rather than conform to them for monetary gain.
Themes
GraffitiCommercial SuccessArtistic IntegritySocietyRebellion
In practice
Example use cases
During a panel discussion on street art, one could use Banksy's quote to emphasize the importance of staying true to artistic purpose over commercial gain.
More from Banksy
All quotes →T.V. has made going to the theatre seem pointless, photography has pretty much killed painting but graffiti has remained gloriously unspoilt by progress.
BanksyRead
I originally set out to try and save the world, but now I'm not sure I like it enough.
BanksyRead
Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub, you know, the one opposite that wall with a picture of a monkey holding a chainsaw". I mean, how much more useful can a painting be than that?
BanksyRead
Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a f**king sharp knife to it.
BanksyRead
Gaza is often described as 'the world's largest open air prison' because no-one is allowed to enter or leave. But that seems a bit unfair to prisons - they don’t have their electricity and drinking water cut off randomly almost every day.
BanksyRead
Similar quotes
How you act, walk, look and talk is all part of Hip Hop culture. And the music is colorless. Hip Hop music is made from Black, brown, yellow, red and white.
Afrika BambaataaRead
When I was a bad writer, I would consciously imitate other NPR writers who I thought were wonderful. I suppose that everyone's artistic practice is different. But I collaborate and sometimes don't agree at all with my collaborators' opinions. It forces you to understand why you don't agree with something: what's the fight you're picking.
Ira GlassRead
Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.
Coco ChanelRead
I've just finished my 20th book this past year and I'm working on my 21st book about the Middle East right now that I'll finish this year. And I get up early in the morning and when I get tired of the computer and tired of doing research, I walk 20 steps out to my woodshop and I either build furniture or paint paintings. I'm an artist too.
Jimmy CarterRead
The beauty of jazz is that it can accommodate all styles. You can take jazz and put rock in it, and it's still jazz.
Jon BatisteRead
The difference between noise and music is in what the musician does with the sounds.
Jean Michel JarreRead