Religious imagery has been a recurring theme in artwork over the centuries. Banksy, a well-known graffiti artist, utilizes this tradition by placing traditional paintings in public areas to convey a rebellious message regarding society and government. One of his notable works features a conventional portrayal of Jesus on the cross, yet he adds a provocative twist by incorporating shopping bags filled with gifts and sweets into the scene.
Jesus, a figure of great significance in religious history, has been commodified to conform to the materialistic nature of our consumer-driven society. The speaker challenges the traditional notions of commemorating Jesus’ death and the religious beliefs people claim to uphold, suggesting that they have been overshadowed by the allure of gifts given by Santa Claus and candy delivered by the Easter Bunny. By linking Jesus’ crucifixion with shopping and consumer products, Banksy compels the audience to reconsider society’s priorities and what it truly values.
Banksy’s intention is to remind his audience about the reasons behind Jesus dying on the cross and prompt them to reflect on whether they are living according to God’s plan. The rhetor displays iconoclastic tendencies since he enables the audience to develop their own viewpoints through thought-provoking questions conveyed in his artwork. Banksy uses his work as a catalyst for bringing about societal and political change. This anonymous figure referred to as Banksy, a street artist based in London, is recognized for transforming conventional works of art in order to convey a message to both authority figures and society as a whole.
The rhetorical ethos of Banksy, the esteemed artist, is significant due to various reasons. Banksy’s commitment to his mission is unwavering, as he intentionally avoids acknowledgment and financial gain from his artwork. This stance further reinforces his indifference towards monetary benefits and fame. The general public deems him trustworthy to advocate for this cause because he has not succumbed to the pitfalls of consumerism that define our society. Ultimately, Banksy’s sole objective is to eradicate the contemporary imperfections plaguing our society.
Throughout his career, Banksy has utilized his artwork to address prevailing political and social issues, often targeting the government and society as the objects of ridicule. Many admirers of Banksy appreciate his ability to make potent political and iconoclastic statements through his art, seemingly driven solely by a desire to improve society. The general consensus is that Banksy’s work is seen as constructive, with society perceiving him not as someone intent on degrading individuals but rather as an ally on a mission to eliminate the numerous pitfalls that ensnare most people.
The rhetor has the authority to make bold statements because he presents himself as someone who has no personal gain, which helps the audience believe that he genuinely wants to construct a healthier world. The rhetor creates this image because of his views on society’s current failures. The argument is based on the belief that Jesus died on the cross thousands of years ago to save all mankind.
He was a man who lived a minimalistic lifestyle and did not prioritize material possessions or financial achievements. Banksy has depicted Jesus carrying the burden of consumer goods to illustrate how society has become driven by consumerism. People focus primarily on immediate gratification and overlook what truly matters. By including a circular image above Jesus’ head, Banksy symbolizes the never-ending cycle of consumerism. This visual representation serves as a catalyst for intellectual debates about society’s skewed perception of what holds the greatest value nowadays. Banksy is calling attention to the decline in moral and ethical standards within society.
The rhetor’s main purpose in this piece is to express his belief that Jesus would feel disappointed upon seeing how society has disregarded and forgotten his efforts to save mankind. By connecting the image of Jesus with mundane activities like shopping, the rhetor suggests that society has distorted the true meaning of the Bible. As a result, the significance of Jesus’ death and the salvation it was meant to bring will be overshadowed by consumerism and materialistic concerns.
Banksy conveys his belief that society must distance itself from the excessive emphasis on consumerism through the use of a distorted representation of Jesus on the cross. By utilizing this imagery, the artist portrays his perception of the current state of society, which greatly diverges from God’s intended vision. Including Jesus in this specific depiction serves to reinforce Banksy’s opposition to consumerism, as he asserts that Christians were never meant to prioritize material possessions.
The rhetor receives endorsement because he does not criticize society in its entirety or accuse any specific individuals. By incorporating Jesus, he is essentially defending religion, which many people hold in high regard. By framing his stance as a defense of God rather than an attack on the state of society, he compels individuals to reassess their core values. The rhetor’s proposal for addressing the issue and his approach to discussing the controversial religious topic gather support and recognition for society’s flaws rather than denying or provoking anger.
The nature of Banksy’s work is rebellious, as he uses images to challenge governmental authority and highlight societal shortcomings. His works are mainly displayed on public buildings for all to see. Banksy’s intended audience includes government officials, religious followers, and everyday citizens. With his use of enthymemes, he hopes his audience will identify with his message and help spread his iconoclastic ideals.
Banksy relates to his audience by addressing a universal message. The presence of Jesus in the artwork enhances the probability that religious individuals will comprehend and connect with the message. The speaker acknowledges the fact that Christianity, a widely practiced faith globally, opposes excessive materialism and the excessive attachment to physical possessions. Through incorporating Jesus, Banksy portrays his perception of how Jesus would view society’s emphasis on monetary worth.
The resonance of the message is due to its connection to religious values, which most people associate with their way of life, morals, and purpose. The portrayal of the image evokes emotions and generates enthymeme. Banksy appeals to the emotions of the audience by using religious pathos, understanding that those who have religious beliefs and see the image will start to question their lifestyle. Religion is a deep passion at the core of one’s existence, so by invoking religious sentiment, the rhetor is creating enthymeme. The rhetor has presented a provocative image, and as a result, the audience will develop their own thoughts about the societal failure.
The image implies that the rhetor desires the audience to experience Jesus’ suffering and reflect upon the essential actions required for transformation. By depicting Jesus on the cross, the image employs enthymemes that connect to a significant religious sentiment from the past and modifies it to enable everyone to directly connect with the metaphorical idea that society is draining the life out of the savior in order to obtain worldly possessions that will ultimately burden individuals in the eyes of God.
The audience is encouraged by the rhetor to consider the present condition of society emotionally, which in turn persuades them to use their own logical reasoning to arrive at the same conclusion as the rhetor: that the contemporary consumer-oriented society deviates greatly from God’s intended vision for the world, which Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to eliminate mankind’s sins in order to enable them to pursue salvation. Banksy compels the audience to ponder, “What is the significance of life if we don’t actively pursue salvation?”
The rhetor’s chosen medium is elaborate wall paintings of graffiti, which have a historical association with expressing underlying social and political messages. Society often perceives graffiti as symbolizing a rebellious nature, resulting in inherently biased views. This can be both advantageous and disadvantageous for the rhetor. By relying solely on images, the rhetor’s ability to express intricate details is limited. However, Banksy benefits from the fact that his medium of choice is traditionally associated with iconoclasm. As a result, viewers of his work already anticipate encountering a rebellious message on some topic.
Despite having many revolutionary ideas, Banksy, a graffiti artist, struggles to gain legitimacy and therefore his power is limited. Graffiti is often seen as vandalism, which hinders Banksy’s ability to invoke political change. As a result, his message is often limited in its reach, rendering him powerless.
Despite being a well-known graffiti artist with globally showcased ideas, Banksy’s use of medium limits him as an observer once a piece is finished. The effectiveness of ‘Consumer Jesus’ is uncertain and inconclusive, as it presents an argument that persuades viewers to varying extents, aligning with the artist’s intended rhetorical impact. The inclusion of a religious symbol, the most notable feature of the artwork, triggers diverse reactions.
Many who see Banksy’s artwork are affected by the realization of society’s failure to fulfill Jesus’ vision for the world. They are inspired to take action and redirect their attention towards the intangible values that God has intended. However, there are also individuals who feel offended by the inclusion of Jesus in the artwork, and media reports have expressed their concerns about Banksy hurting the feelings of the Christian community. Not everyone in the audience will react positively to the intended message of this artwork. Personally, this piece encourages me to reconsider my own priorities and what I hold dear.
Like many others who disappoint Jesus, I consider myself in the same category. This is likely why numerous individuals have expressed offense towards this artwork. It resonates deeply and delves into matters of faith, which religious individuals tend to be fiercely protective of. The artwork implies that Banksy is urging society to change, a concept that most people are unwilling to entertain. The piece is impactful because it plants a seed, which I believe is Banksy’s intention. The way Banksy appears to be connecting with society suggests that he does not deliberately provoke offense; it is merely an inevitable aspect of his iconoclastic nature.
The impact of his work is not to instruct society on how to act, but rather to encourage thought-provoking inquiries that let the audience develop their own beliefs.
References
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“Mangalorean. Com. ” SBangalore: Christian Community Unhappy With Controversial Jesus Graffiti In Media. Bangalor Mirror, 3 Aug. 2012. Web. 13 Jan. 2013.
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“Banksy « GrooveTOAST. ” GrooveTOAST. N. p. , n. d. Web. 13 Jan. 2013.
