Visual Rhetoric Presentation
Matthew Zuccari
Background Information
• This piece of art was done by the wellknown 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 warprepared 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. 2005. Bethlehem, Palestine.
Web. 29 Oct. 2011.
• “80+ Beautiful Street Crimes done by BANKSY.”
boredpanda.com. Bored Panda, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2011.
• Parry, Nigel. “Banksy ‘The Palestinian Job’.” Brian
Sewell Art Directory, 2 Sep. 2005. 29 Oct. 2011.