Banksy Image Analysis

The Banksy image shows a white dove carrying an olive branch while wearing a bulletproof vest. Even though the dove is carrying an olive branch it still has a target on it. The target represents how peace is never good enough and the white dove represents peace and surrender in a time of war. There always seem to be a war going on even if peace is a viable option. Peace terms and surrender are not always accepted in today’s world.  

            This image doesn’t have any text but in my opinion it doesn’t need any. The message clearly shines through with the image alone. Banksy’s message of anti-war is fitting in virtually any time period. There is always a war being fought, just fought, or about to be fought. This message applies to any country that has been involved in a war. The image's target audience could really be anybody with knowledge of war. So many countries are in wars right now, that anybody can have knowledge of war.

            Banksy himself is clearly not a supporter of war based on this image. This image says that war is not good. It is not friendly. It is not practical. War is not easy and war is not fair. Peace and surrender are not accepted as terms for winning the war as they do not show as much dominance. The image itself is very persuasive in getting its message across. The use of imagery and symbolism is very specific and well thought out. Banksy presents the white dove as very fierce yet very innocent. The dove’s bulletproof vest shows fierceness while the olive branch shows innocence. Also, the dove itself is the very picture of innocence and peace. A white dove is seen as an innocent creature. At weddings people will sometimes let off white doves after they are married. Upon seeing a white dove one immediately thinks of innocence and serenity.

            The image is trying to show people how war is not good. It is trying to say that in war even if you surrender and offer up peace terms that will not be good enough. Nothing in war is good. There is never really any peace even if it is accepted because that country will still have a target on its back. There is no escaping war even after it is over. So, if war will never truly end, why have it. If peace will never be accepted then why offer it? In truth, war is a part of our society. Banksy’s image provides an alternative to society’s norm. Banksy’s image shows how war really is in an attempt to demonstrate why war is bad. His alternative is to not have war. In war, the country surrendering is not always treated justly. Whether they deserve it or not they are treated unjustly. War is unfair even after it has ended.

            Banksy’s image speaks for itself. It gives viewers a reason to stop and think again on the subject of war. It makes viewers pause what they are doing and think about war and its effects. Is war good? Is war bad? Is there really peace in the end of war? Banksy’s image makes its viewers ask these questions and hopefully change their ways of thinking.