Visual Rhetoric Presentation Matthew Zuccari

Background Information This piece of art was done by the well- known British street artist Banksy. Although Banksy’s true identity is semi-unknown, he has been credited with numerous pieces of conceptual and political art across the globe. Throughout all of his career, Banksy has never been convicted for the seemingly infinite accounts of vandalism and breaking and entering. This was the first piece that Banksy performed in his campaign through Palestine and Israel to protest Israel’s construction of a wall of segregation between the two nations. The work was done on the Palestinian side in Bethlehem to symbolize their suppression and lack of liberty.

What is the first thing you notice in the image?

The first thing that usually grabs the viewers’ attention is the small girl’s bright pink dress. This illustrates how the subject matter of this work is very odd and unusual.

What is the rhetorical purpose of this image?

Clearly, the image illustrates a proverbial turning of tables as the seemingly innocent perform a search on the one who is seen as the regular accuser and violator. This highlights how illogical and foolish some actions of armies are.

What is juxtaposed here?

The extremely militant, aggressive, and war- prepared soldier is obviously juxtaposed against the small, seemingly innocent, and feminine child. This comparison creates a definitely opposite atmosphere than what is normally seen.

Who is the audience of this image?

The main audience of this piece of art would be the Palestinians who would be viewing the wall daily and seeing the injustice of the Israeli presence. Also, avid followers of Banksy would look at this image online or elsewhere.

What is the image’s logical appeal?

The graffiti makes the idea of illegal searches and seizures seem illogical in and of itself. The ability to act, speak, and express freely seem even more logical by the action seen in the image.

What is the image’s ethical appeal?

Since the artwork was created by the well-known guerilla artist Banksy, it gains some credibility. What allows the work to become even more credible is the fact that the image is an artistic response to the very famous issues between Israel and Palestine.

What is the image’s emotional appeal?

The work is definitely one that rouses significant emotional response. The art work comes off in a very literal manner as humorous, odd, and even insane. However, if one looks at the piece from a different perspective, the very modernist version of the idealisms of liberty, freedom, and justice are riled up.

Works Cited Banksy. Girl And A Soldier Bethlehem, Palestine. Web. 29 Oct “80+ Beautiful Street Crimes done by BANKSY.” boredpanda.com. Bored Panda, n.d. Web. 29 Oct Parry, Nigel. “Banksy ‘The Palestinian Job’.” Brian Sewell Art Directory, 2 Sep Oct