Reviewed and Updated: October 19, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA
Are you a fan of street art? Check out this list of tattoos inspired by the famous graffiti artist Banksy that will surely fascinate you!
A Banksy graffiti is like the Picasso painting of the street art world.
This anonymous street artist from Bristol is well known among street art lovers all over the world. If you like tattoos that speak of important issues, tattoos inspired by Banksy’s art are a popular choice.
Born in Bristol, Banksy is a graffiti artist whose artwork took the city by storm in the 1980s. His revolutionary art has since appeared on the streets of London, Los Angeles, New York, the Berlin Wall and the West Bank Separation Wall in Israel.
What does Banksy tattoo mean?
Banksy’s art is known for forcing the viewer to reflect on important political issues that have devastated our society, such as war, vandalism and violence. The graphic images are created with the help of stencils in different colors. Aside from England, his work has often appeared in war-torn locations.
Banksy’s art is famous for the elements he uses to create that extra effect. His paintings often depict violence and love at the same time, which really forces you to stand up and think about the message Banksy is trying to convey through his art. Famous images created using Banksy’s stencils include the little girl with the balloon, the woman who shoots herself in the head to release a bunch of butterflies, and the man who throws a bouquet of flowers instead of a bomb. Humans have a hard time understanding the feelings of love and hate. Banksy tries to give it meaning through his art.
Banksy Balloon Girl Tattoo
This is perhaps one of Banksy’s most iconic creations. The picture of the little girl with the balloon shows her innocence without words. The best thing about this tattoo is that it was done separately on both legs and the who look is complete. Symbolizing the universal love spread through a child’s innocence, the heart balloon is truly captivating.
Banksy Butterfly Girl Tattoo
This famous Banksy street art is also perfect for body art! Banksy tattoos always have a message and this one is no different. The tattoo is perfect for the shoulder area as shown in the picture. It looks feminine but can be a tattoo option for people of all genders. The young girl is depicted shooting herself in the head with a gun and the outburst of blood is depicted through the use of a cluster of red butterflies which add drama to the tattoo. The tattoo symbolizes how our thoughts should be free and released into the universe instead of being imprisoned in our brain.
Banksy Fallen Angel Tattoo
This is another tattoo inspiration from the unknown artist’s street art arsenal. The fallen angel is represented as a little boy on his knees saying a silent prayer. The image is a symbol of hope and is tattooed just below the ear. An angel’s wings and halo have been added to the boy’s image in bright red for a bold contrast.
Banksy rebel tattoo
This Banksy tattoo is funky and quirky. The street artist has really outdone himself in this graffiti of a rebel getting ready to join the revolution while his mother helps him. Just like the others, this Banksy graffiti has a strong message. The shading on this tattoo is intense and dark. The red scarf tied across the rebel’s face is bright red and makes for a nice pop of color on this tattoo.
Keep It Real Banksy Tattoo
This is one of those Banksy tattoos that can be recreated by any tattoo artist. This is Banksy’s satire at its finest. The graffiti, recreated as a tattoo, shows a monkey with the inscription “to keep it real”. It is a symbol of the true nature of humanity and how despite all these years of evolution we still respond to our animal instincts.
Colored rain Banksy tattoo
This tattoo was adapted from one of Banksy’s iconic images of a London street. All street art can be seen in the background. The tattoo depicts colored rain falling over a little girl enjoying the rain and soaking it all up. This tattoo is multicolored and the girl has been inked with a hot shade of red which makes it different from the other tattoos of this type.
Throw Flowers Banksy Tattoo
This is an adaptation of another epic creation by Banksy. The original graffiti shows an angry man throwing a bouquet of flowers against a wall. The tattoo shows a young woman with her mouth covered doing the same. The sketching on the tattoo is unique and the shading has been done with straight lines.
Mermaid X Scuba Diver Banksy Tattoo
This is one of the coolest Banksy tattoo inspirations out there and it symbolizes the fact that love knows no boundaries and defies all logic. This monochromatic Banksy tattoo is truly one of a kind. The shading on the mermaid scales is beautiful. Make sure you hire an experienced tattoo artist for this.
Anti-social Banksy tattoo
This tattoo is a great specimen to showcase Banksy’s unmatched genius. Little boy screaming for attention gets no likes or comments from anyone because everyone is too busy on social media. The color palette of this tattoo is quite unique. The orange bar above is Instagram and the teal of the kids sweater makes for an interesting color combination!
Lost Couple Banksy Tattoo
This is one of those perfect Banksy tattoos for the corporate couple who are always busy with their phones. The tattoo speaks volumes about modern day couples and their relationship to each other. There is actual intimacy but no real connection. The tattoo is monochromatic and has intense shaking.
If you are still looking for more tattoos inspired by Banksy’s art, check out the list below:
- Justin Bieber Banksy tattoo
- Banksy tattoo graffiti
- Banksy girl with balloon tattoo
Featured image from Pinterest