Have you seen the video of Banksy selling art in Central Park yet? Or even better, did you see the art stand in Central Park? Here, take a look:

Banksy is a pseudonymous English-based graffiti artist and political activist. He is famous for creating work that is subversive and satirical that is done in a distinct stenciling technique. His political and social commentary art has popped up on bridges, buildings, and walls all around the world. There is an energy in NYC this week as we know Banksy is on the move creating his art in the Big Apple. I have some friends who are going on a Banksy graffiti art hunt. Part of the lure of Banksy is his secret identity. Who is Banksy? We don’t know. It’s that mystery that makes the work of Banksy even more exciting. Perhaps like God, it’s the mystery of our faith that tickles our imagination and captures our attention.

Many of my friends were posting the above video on their Twitter and Facebook accounts on Monday. They were all saying the same thing “How do people just walk by?!” “Don’t New Yorkers stop and look!?” “Come on people, this is thousands of dollars worth of art that Banksy is selling for $60!” I would like to think that there is a chance I would have stopped. I would like to think that in my mad rush to the subway, or my annoyance by all the tourists blocking the sidewalk, that I would possibly still stop and look because I love street art. Once I stopped and looked I’m afraid that my skepticism would take over and I would say things like “Someone has the audacity to make Banksy look-a-likes.” or “Wouldn’t this be so cool if these were actually Banksy pieces of art.” I know myself enough to know unfortunately I, too, would have probably been one of the people who just walked by or tried to bargain a deal. Yet there is this possibility that I would have stopped and there is this possibility that I would have had some sort of intuitive faith to imagine that this might be a Banksy stunt. That possibility gives me hope. I remember when I first moved here my colleague, Reverend Charlie Morris, said to me “Keep your eyes up, there is always magic happening.” Indeed, there is. This is my wake up call to look back up; I don’t want to miss out on the magic.

London

PalestinePalestineTwin Towers in Tribeca, NYC. His latest piece that was found yesterday.