Comparative study of Banksy and Fabian Debora, using two pieces which portray the influence of gang culture on youth.

1. Banksy
& Fabian Debora
COMPARATIVE
STUDY

2. Banksy Fabian Debora
INTRODUCTION
This comparative study will introduce
you to the very famous British
anonymous street artist Banksy, and
the underground Mexican-American
artist from Los Angeles, Fabian
Debora.

3.  Banksy
 -Banksy is an anonymous
street artist from Bristol,
England, born and raised
being influenced by the
Western Culture. Presumably
raised in a rather wealthy
household, attending private
school, and completing an
education program.
 Fabian Debora
 -Fabian Debora was born in
Mexico, and later
immigrated to Los Angeles.
Raised in a Latin American
culture, and then adapting
to Western cultural
traditions, mannerisms and
lifestyle. Introduced to
gangs at an early age,
Fabian dropped out of high
school to pursue a gang
education on the streets of
L.A
CULTURAL CONTEXT

4.  Even though Banksy and Fabian Debora were both raised
in a Western Culture country, their upbringing could not
have been more different from one another. Their
experiences and perspectives greatly influenced their
focus, point of view, purpose, and portrayal of the various
social issues represented and addressed through their
art.
CULTURAL CONTEXT

5. COMPARED ARTWORKS
“Tu Eres mi Otro Oyo”
Fabian Debora
2008
Untitled
Banksy
Unknown

6.  The piece, painted with the use of multi-layer
stencils on a concrete wall, utilizes a very
monochromatic color scheme, with a few bright
yellow accents to set emphasis on certain areas
of the painting. The value of light and dark
shades used vary from black/very dark grey to
white, creating a smooth transition between
shades, a sense of unity and balance throughout
the piece, as well as an intended visual
movement to direct the viewer through the
piece. Banksy used textures on the radio, shirt,
and jewelry to provide contrast from the rest of
the piece. The use of a solid background allows
the negative space to place emphasis on the
subject even more. The lines are mostly smooth
and curved with a couple of exceptions on the
radio, shirt, and face of the subject.
VISUAL ANALYSIS (BANKSY)

7.  On the other hand, the techniques,
elements, and principles used in this Fabian
Debora piece are very different from
Banksy’s. First of all, the color scheme is
bright, colorful, and lively. The value is more
subtle as well. The emphasis and movement
in this piece is very obvious due to the
bright colors in certain areas on the left, the
scale of the subjects compared to the
background, as well as the outline painted
in a lighter shade around the subjects. The
pattern/rhythm in the background allows
the reader to gradually move across the
painting as if the artist intended. The lines
are smooth and curved, and give the
painting a sense of harmony and unity. The
painting is on canvas instead of concrete,
and was painted freehand instead of
stencils.
VISUAL ANALYSIS (F. DEBORA)

8.  According to my perspective, the function and purpose of both
pieces is to demonstrate how children are influenced by gang
culture. It shows how children adapt to their environment,
often recreating what they observe.
 In my opinion, the purpose of Banksy’s piece was to shock,
and make the viewer think and reflect on the issue of gang
influence on youth, while Fabian Debora’s was more meant to
express and get the viewer to see his perspective and
personal experience being raised in an environment
completely dominated by gang culture
FUNCTION AND PURPOSE

9.  In my opinion, the conceptual significance of Fabian Debora’s
piece is greater, because it portrays memories of experiences
from his upbringing. The concept of his piece is therefore
related to his personal knowledge, having lived in the Los
Angeles gang culture first-hand.
 Although Fabian Debora’s piece is more personal and
relatable to his personal life, Banksy’s piece better represents
the aspect and angle of social commentary on the topic.
CONCEPTUAL AND MATERIAL SIGNIFICANCE

10.  Both works can be connected in their use of symbolism,
motifs, and concepts, but contrasted in their purpose, formal
elements, and cultural context.
 Both pieces portray the influence of youth by gang culture
around the world.
 Both pieces contain symbols such as the backwards hat on
both children, representing rebellion, anarchy, and defiance of
society’s rules.
 Though the cultural contexts of the two artists differ greatly,
the concept of portraying children in such a light is food for
thought to the viewer.
CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE WORKS

11.  These two pieces influenced by work with their use of specific
painting techniques.
 Banksy’s piece inspired me to experiment with multi-layer
stencils
 Fabian Debora’s piece inspired me to portray the subjects in
an almost “cartoon-ish” way.
 Both pieces inspired me to attempt to create a painting that
would force the viewer to reflect on this social issue.
CONNECTIONS TO MY OWN WORK

12.  In conclusion, both Banksy’s and Fabian Debora’s
pieces, though dealing with the same theme, were
portrayed in two very different lights. The artists’
cultural upbringing influenced their personal
experiences and opinions when it came to express
themselves on their canvases. Even though they
shared a common purpose of forcing the viewer to
think about the effects that gang culture places on
the youth of the world, their approach differed due to
their relations of the theme to their personal life.
CONCLUSION