This is a great example I found of appropriation. On the left we see the classic painting by Monet 'water lilies' which is a very popular and well known image. On the right is a copy of this image created by Banksy but with his own twist, including abandoned shopping trollies and a traffic cone floating in the water, becoming the main focus point. He has created quite a few pieces of work like this, using a classical painting and making it controversial and bringing some of the issues that we encounter today into his work.
In the time when the original painting was produced this is probably the actual scene you would find, a serene, beautiful setting, with flowers and lighter colouring. Banksy has taken this and modernised it to almost hit people in the face with the fact that his image would not be a surprise to see in the 21st century, with litter filling the rivers and pollution darkening the scene. His work sets out to send a message to the public in a way they may listen to, rather than talking in magazines or on television. Instead he creates these altered interpretations and places them around in the public eye where they would not expect.
Although I still think that his work and appropriations have a larger impact than an article in the newspaper would, I think that the growing interest in Banksy will sooner or later lead to him being discovered and named to the world. If this happens I think his work will not be as special and interesting to many and may stop spreading the message as well. I personally do not wish to know who he is, and could never stop appreciating the work he creates.
