Multimodal representations with flags in Banksy’s graffiti: art as sociopolitical protest

Abstract

In the light of Cognitive Linguistics (LAKOFF, JOHNSON, 1980 and LAKOFF, TURNER, 1989) and the Theory of Multimodal Metaphor (FORCEVILLE, 2008, 2009), this study aims to analyze three Banksy graffiti: Sweatshop boy, Les Misérables and Brexit, presenting the metaphorical and metonymic mappings that structure their multimodal and monomodal representations. Additionally, based on the cognitive concept of art (DONALD, 2006) and the concept of visual culture as a social practice (Barnard, 1998), we will demonstrate that Banksy's metaphorical creativity is not simply a self-expressive art form, but it is strongly goal-oriented for social and politic critiques, as is the case with the use of flags to portray the socio-political models of the nations they represent. Finally, from the conception that ART IS WEAPON, we will present our interpretation for each graffiti, showing that besides consisting of manifestations of elaborated aesthetics, Banksy's graffiti are mainly powerful instruments of sociopolitical protests.