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Controversial Street Art Of Our Time

By Beatrice Porbeni
24 July 2017   |   7:00 pm
“Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.” ― Banksy, Wall and Piece Street art hasn’t always been accepted as the norm. For many years, it was tagged as vandalism, which caused many artists to use it…

“Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.” ― Banksy, Wall and Piece

Street art hasn’t always been accepted as the norm. For many years, it was tagged as vandalism, which caused many artists to use it as a form of expressive rebellion. As the 90s era saw a significant rise in street art in different parts of the world, it has grown to be a part a popular mode of expression particularly with regards to social issues. Street art can be described as art for the masses as the audience is always the world as street art often has a loud rebellious voice of its own. We’ve selected a few artists who have made it a mission to disrupt with their Art.

Dump Trump by Hanksy

Dump Trump by Hanksy


Donald Trump has to be the most controversial president of our time and artist, Hanksy, wasted no time to voice public opinion. The anti-Trump artist depicted an image of Donald Trump as a pile of poop with flies hovering over him. Sadly, the art didn’t last too long, as the owner of the building where the graffiti was painted had to paint over it because they allegedly received a letter from the city, threatening fines if the work wasn’t removed.

Spy Room by Banksy

Spy Room by Banksy


Banksy is the all time famous rebellious artist whose work is aimed being controversial. Banksy’s pieces are guaranteed to start conversation as they are directly aimed at social issues, with topics ranging from social media obsession to government matters, Banksy’s collections are world known. This particular piece calls out the British government on surveillance as it depicts a few men who resemble detectives surrounding a pay phone. This piece also didn’t last too long as it has been painted over by the government.

LePage Maine Mural Portland

LePage Maine Mural


The street art is a mural depicting the governor of Maine, Paul LePage, who once publically said, “most drug dealers are black, Hispanic”. The painting shows LePage in full Ku Klux Klan dressing, with words such as “racist,” “homophobe,” “moron,” and “governor” – which has a red line through it. Although the artist is was unknown, many argue that the piece was freedom of art expression. While the Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling pushed for removing the mural, saying it borders on hate speech. City officials permitted it to remain.  The mural mysteriously changed a few days later to the LePage with Mickey Mouse ears.

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