7 animated GIFs of Banksy street art you have to see

One of the world's most famous exponents of street art, Banksy's been back in the spotlight recently with his self-proclaimed 'residence' in New York - check out our roundup here. Now Serbian designer 'AVBH' is making a name for himself with his amazing cinemagraphs of some of Banksy's best known work. Here we take a look at some of the best, and the story behind the originals...

01. Parking lot

A powerful statement about the unstoppable march of concrete

A powerful statement about the unstoppable march of concrete

Banksy's work usually aims to makes a statement, although some are more obtuse than others. This depiction of a girl on a swing is one of the more clear-cut, making an obvious point about how public spaces are steadily being eroded by car parks. This design appeared at 9th and Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles, by the Orpheum Theatre.

The cinemagraph puts a swing into the piece's step

The cinemagraph puts a swing into the piece's step

02. Kissing policeman

This provocative piece became a Brighton favourite

This provocative piece became a Brighton favourite

This attention-grabbing work, which shows two policemen in a steamy embrace, soon became a regular tourist attraction in the gay-friendly English seaside town of Brighton. But the design, appearing on the Prince Albert pub in Trafalgar Street, was also the subject of repeated vandalism, and the pub owner eventually decided to have it removed and sold to a New York gallery.

The cinemagraph adds extra spice to the smooch

The cinemagraph adds extra spice to the smooch

03. Rat mural

This giant rat mural raised eyebrows in New York

This giant rat mural raised eyebrows in New York

In New York, you're never more than six feet from a rat. Banksy brings the reality of city life to the fore in this mural which he commissioned Colossal Media to create on Canal and West Broadway.

This was a series of 'art-vertisments' for the artist, who told the press at the time: "I wanted to play the corporations at their own game, at the same scale and in the same locations. The advantage of billboard companies is that they'll let you write anything for money, even if what you write is questioning the ethics of letting someone write anything because they have money."

The animation added for the cinemagraph, turning the rat's scissors into a murderous tool, are nicely in keeping with the artist's anti-capitalist sentiments.

The cinemagraph gives a new layer of sinister to the image

The cinemagraph gives a new layer of sinister to the image

04. Stop sign

"No stopping" becomes a comment on the rat race

"No stopping" becomes a comment on the rat race

With typical Banksy wit, this piece saw a rat turning a 'No' symbol into a rodent exercise wheel, transforming a common street sign into a comment on the 9-5 "rat race". The cinemagraph version makes the point even clearer.

The cinemagraph has the sign in a spin

The cinemagraph has the sign in a spin

05. Paper swan

This beautiful image shows Banksy's softer side

This beautiful image shows Banksy's softer side

Banksy's art doesn't just appear in urban areas. This painting of a paper swan appeared on a wall next to the River Lym in the leafy English town of Lyme Regis, Dorset. The way the cinemagraph brings it to life is truly stunning.

The cinemagraph shows the whole scene as the swan captures its prey

The cinemagraph shows the whole scene as the swan captures its prey

06. Graffiti is a crime

Banksy exports some British irony to the streets of America

Banksy exports some British irony to the streets of America

This was the opening shot in Banksy's recent Manhattan 'residence'. Appearing near Chinatown it's typical of the self-reflexible irony often seen in Banksy's pieces, that requires little explanation but can't raise to fail a smirk from passers by.

The cinemagraph adds a surreal twist to the image

The cinemagraph adds a surreal twist to the image

07. Hydrant

Classic Banksy as he showcases the power of the quick stencil

Classic Banksy as he showcases the power of the quick stencil

This stencil in New York on 79th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave, showcases Banksy's unparallelled skill in bringing boring objects to magical life. The cinemagraph takes the image to its logical, anarchic conclusion.

The cinemagraph adds an explosive end to the scene

The cinemagraph adds an explosive end to the scene

Like this? Read these!

Is Banksy a visionary or self-promotional chancer? Let us know your views in the comments box below!

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