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Banksy Locations (& Tours): V. 1: An Unofficial History of Graffiti Locations in London
Literary Nonfiction. Graffiti. Photography. When it comes to art, London is best known for its galleries, not its graffiti. However, not if photographer Martin Bull has anything to say about it. While newspapers and magazines the world over send their critics to review the latest Damien Hirst show at the Tate Modern, Bull, in turn, is out taking photos of the latest street installations by guerilla art icon Banksy. In three guided tours, Martin Bull documents sixty-five London sites where one can see some of the most important works by the legendary political artist. Boasting over 100 color photos, BANKSY LOCATIONS AND TOURS also includes graffiti by many of Banksy's peers, including Eine, Faile, El Chivo, Arofish, Cept, Space Invader, Blek Le Rat, D*face, and Shepherd Fairey. US edition has locations updated and 25 additional photos.
180 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 27, 2012
These two collections are best for Banksy completists, a.k.a. obsessive fans. Of which I am one. As is demonstrated by the fact that I made these:
If you are new to Banksy, you are better off picking up Wall and Piece . I have seen most of the works featured here before but did spot a few that I had never seen before, so I’m glad I snagged these. Banksy is primarily a street stencil artist. He occasionally does paintings or various installation/sculptural pieces, but primarily he cuts elaborate stencils then hits walls at night and spray paints the images using the stencils. His work is often straight up political but avoids being too didactic by leavening it with clever/biting/sarcastic humor.
The author of these two collections is a graffiti tour guide in London who documents street art via photography and then hosts tours of interesting work, mainly Banksy. In these two books, the author’s commentary did became somewhat repetitive, partly because I suspect these were originally blog posts, and he didn’t do a good job editing them as a whole. But regardless, I did learn some interest tidbits. I had no idea how many people would tear down walls and doors, peel off plaster, or remove storage boxes if Banksy had painted on them and then attempt to sell them at auction houses or on eBay. (The author repeatedly declares his opposition to tearing down work that was created for the street.) Sometimes the paintings sold for a lot of money, other times, they don’t sell at all. The auction houses have a difficult time proving the authenticity of the work. After all, it’s street art, and sometimes other people imitate Banksy’s style.
It was also interesting to read about the ongoing government whitewashing of graffiti, town debates on the subject, and how frequently the works disappears. I was also unaware of the graffiti war with “Team Robbo” after Banksy painted over an old work by Robbo that had been around for many years. So now Robbo supporters (or those who are just jealous of Banksy’s success) have gone around defacing Banksy’s works.
Of the two books, the second one has some of the lesser seen works. I’m glad I could see some of Banksy’s stencils in more of a street context, but overall, this won’t be too exciting for those unfamiliar with Banksy. Below are a few of my favorite images from these books.
OLD SKOOL
NO FUTURE
PETROL VULTURE
KID’S CAR UP ON BLOCKS AND BARBED WIRE PLAYHOUSE
If you are new to Banksy, you are better off picking up Wall and Piece . I have seen most of the works featured here before but did spot a few that I had never seen before, so I’m glad I snagged these. Banksy is primarily a street stencil artist. He occasionally does paintings or various installation/sculptural pieces, but primarily he cuts elaborate stencils then hits walls at night and spray paints the images using the stencils. His work is often straight up political but avoids being too didactic by leavening it with clever/biting/sarcastic humor.
The author of these two collections is a graffiti tour guide in London who documents street art via photography and then hosts tours of interesting work, mainly Banksy. In these two books, the author’s commentary did became somewhat repetitive, partly because I suspect these were originally blog posts, and he didn’t do a good job editing them as a whole. But regardless, I did learn some interest tidbits. I had no idea how many people would tear down walls and doors, peel off plaster, or remove storage boxes if Banksy had painted on them and then attempt to sell them at auction houses or on eBay. (The author repeatedly declares his opposition to tearing down work that was created for the street.) Sometimes the paintings sold for a lot of money, other times, they don’t sell at all. The auction houses have a difficult time proving the authenticity of the work. After all, it’s street art, and sometimes other people imitate Banksy’s style.
It was also interesting to read about the ongoing government whitewashing of graffiti, town debates on the subject, and how frequently the works disappears. I was also unaware of the graffiti war with “Team Robbo” after Banksy painted over an old work by Robbo that had been around for many years. So now Robbo supporters (or those who are just jealous of Banksy’s success) have gone around defacing Banksy’s works.
Of the two books, the second one has some of the lesser seen works. I’m glad I could see some of Banksy’s stencils in more of a street context, but overall, this won’t be too exciting for those unfamiliar with Banksy. Below are a few of my favorite images from these books.
OLD SKOOL
NO FUTURE
PETROL VULTURE
KID’S CAR UP ON BLOCKS AND BARBED WIRE PLAYHOUSE
August 11, 2013
ebox ref
SNORTING COPPER 8. WHITE LINE
Marked this 5* because some of the stencils have already been removed.
SNORTING COPPER 8. WHITE LINEMarked this 5* because some of the stencils have already been removed.
March 30, 2015
این کتاب راهنمایی است که مارتین بال برای گرافیتی های بنکسی در شهر لندن نوشته است. کتاب به سه قسمت، در واقع سه تور درون شهری، تقسیم شده و در هر بخش موقعیت هایی که در آنها گرافیتی های بنکزی را در گوشه و کنار خیابان ها می توان یافت توضیح داده شده - همراه با عکس هایی از این گرافیتی ها و وضع فعلیشان
گرافیتی ها - خصوصا سری موش ها - خیلی جذاب بودند. این گونه از هنر خیابانی تازگی و جذابیت خاصی برای من داشت - خصوصا اینکه سادگی و اختصار طرح ها هم جذابیتش رو افزون می کرد
نکته ی دیگه افسون گری مشاهده ی زوال و مرگ گرافیتی ها است - برخلاف آثار هنری رسمی که حفظ می شن تا مرگ لمسشون نکنه، هنر خیابانی با همان صراحت و خودمانی بودنش مرگ رو هم پذیرا می شه و مبدل می شه به صرف یک یاد
نکته ی حاشیه ای: احتمالا با خوندن متن های محاوره ای نویسنده انگلیسی بریتیشتون هم تقویت می شه. من که کلی کلمه ی تازه درش دیدم
October 9, 2012
I would have to rate this highly based on the difficulty of obtaining the material. How indubitably frustrating it must be as an artist to send a message only for the police to erase it before they catch you and someone sees it and is changed by it. The photographs are an amazing account of what is ruled in our day-to-day lives and make a compelling case that graffiti itself is art. Art is supposed to make you think, and this collection certainly does.
December 30, 2025
A great, short read (I 'read' half of it while I was at work, being a slow day). Such a pity that most of it will be gone now, but great that people have caught the images while they could. I wonder what you'd find if you did the trail now?
August 11, 2017
I've always LOVED street art. It's messy and fascinating and real. I've made it a habit over the years to keep a look out for great graffiti as I've traveled over the world, and no artist stands out like Banksy. I LIVE for his irreverent, epic portrayals of society and politics. This book is a great look into Banksy's art and a lovely reference book for any fan of street art.
October 5, 2018
Banksy is this creative enigma - subtle humor, topical, creative visuals, and above all, street art at it ought to be! I haven't seen a Banksy yet (When are you coming to India Banksy?) but love the art. This book is a great effort to catalogue some of Banksies as a location and tour guide.
January 19, 2026
Banksy historian and tour guide Martin Bull identifies 3 tours he used to take Londoners and tourists on in the mid-2000s. This book identifies locations of Banksy art in various forms of decay.
An excellent guide and read!
An excellent guide and read!
November 20, 2018
Very cool books. Love looking at Banksy pics.
January 22, 2025
Interesting read into Banksy with photos of the amazing street art around London
Read
February 28, 2025Great collection of long gone images. It's small, for carrying with you on a walking tour in the early 2000s.
June 1, 2025
Fun Art Book of Banksy photography.
August 22, 2013
Street arts should belong to the streets but it's a pity that street arts are also vandalism and not accepted by the authority. It is sad to learn that most of the graffiti by Banksy no longer exist.
It's a very complete guide to the whereabout of Banksy's work. However, I'm quite fed up with the repetitions from the author, saying that his book was quoted by auction houses as authentication of the work and he is upset with it. Saying it once is enough and twice is definitely too much for readers.
It's a very complete guide to the whereabout of Banksy's work. However, I'm quite fed up with the repetitions from the author, saying that his book was quoted by auction houses as authentication of the work and he is upset with it. Saying it once is enough and twice is definitely too much for readers.
May 20, 2009
Photographs and descriptions of various Banksy pieces around London also provides suggestions for three walking tours to view the works. The documentation of Banksy's work is nice, but as a "tour book" it has limited value as many of the pieces included have been painted over or otherwise removed. I imagine it was more timely during its original 2007 release. Worth a look for sure, but if I went to London I don't think I'd do a full tour of these spots seeing as many are long gone.
November 24, 2012
Banksy is a very edgy street artist operating out of England. This book gives a nice overview of his work and what he tries to do with his street art. Small print and very fact heavy. I would recommend this to students already interested in art/graffiti etc.
April 3, 2014
I read this as an ebook on Oyster and the pictures were small which was disappointing. I hope in the print version they are larger. Otherwise I did enjoy the book but unless I'm visiting London I could have done without the tour part.
June 21, 2009
Photography is not as good as the Banksy original books, but nonetheless is useful for the locations of subversive behaviour...
March 28, 2011
Many of his artworks on this book have already been removed. If you want to follow this book and make a tour, it would rather be disappointed.
March 9, 2012
The author is relatable and states the purpose of the book fairly clearly. It's mainly a tour guide with a few back stories. I found it to be repetitive in parts, but a good coffee table book.
April 24, 2012
Another teensy, tiny book about a huge artist. I want MOAR Banksy but I don't think I'm going to find it in these small books.
May 8, 2014
Nice tour. Gives an idea of the metropolitan, day to day impact of graffiti, and their evolution both against time and monetary value.
March 6, 2015
Shows his work in place. Wanted to look at his work again after seeing "Exit through the Gift Shop" which is brilliant (as Brits say).
See: Wall and Piece by Banksy
See: Wall and Piece by Banksy
February 27, 2012
I never got the Banksy phenomenon so this was instructive. And pretty.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews