Artist Statement:
New York City based artist HANKSY uses the streets as his
canvas, employing clever puns and turns of phrases to delight
fans and observant passersby. Shortly after moving to New York
in 2010, HANKSY began noticing the city’s vibrant street art
scene, in which hand painted works of art, elaborate stencils,
and detailed screen prints enrich blighted spots and capture the
attention of urban dwellers. Wanting to contribute to the ever
growing movement, but determined to maintain a light-hearted
approach, HANKSY began satirizing British street art legend Banksy
by mashing up his most famous works with references from Tom Hanks
films. His clever remixes delighted New Yorkers, turning HANKSY
into a social media phenomenon and quickly earning him a place in
the competitive New York street art world. HANKSY’s new work
broadens his satirical scope, lampooning pop culture icons like
Bruce Willis and Ryan Gosling, while staying true to his punny
origins. With HANKSY on the streets, no celebrity is safe.
press list: (selected)
NYTimes – Mash Up Artist Goes Viral
Hanksy on The Colbert Report:
Huffington Post “The Artist Hanksy Creates Banksy-like Images of Tom Hanks” Huffington Post UK “Spoof Artist
Hanksy Takes Banksy One Step Closet To Hollywood” ARTNET “An Interview With Hanksy.” Reverend Jen
BESTWEEKEVER.tv “Who…Is…Hanksy?,” Michelle Collins
GEEKOSYSTEM “Hanksy Brings An Awesome Pun to the World of Street Art,” Eric Limer
Paste Magazine “Meet the Hottest New Tom Hanks-Inspire Street Artist: Hanksy,” TheLMagazine.com (multiple), Benjamin Sutton
GuestofaGuest.com “The Coolest NYC Street Artists,” Kermichell Leo Scallywagandvagabond.com “It’s Now Tme to
Meet Banksy’s Impersonator – Hanksy,” John Wenrich
HighSnobiety.com “Hanksy Hits Chicago,”
BoweryBoogie.com (multiple), Elie Perler
Fast Company “What Hanksy’s Rat-themed Street Art Means For Tom Hanks’ “Larry Crowne,” Nancy Miller
FunnyorDie.com, “7 Hankstastic Instance of Tom Hanks Graffiti”
Juxtapoz.com (multiple)
Examiner.com “A Street Art Parody: Hanksy Lands First Solo Show,” Carly Beetsch SNAP! Magazine “Hanksy”
Wooster Collective (Multiple) Marc Schiller
Nylonmag.com “Tag! Hanksy,” Faran Krenticl
Daily Maverick “Never mind Banksy, Here’s Hanksy,” Theresa Mallinson