During the London riots in the summer of 2011, London-born photographer Nick Stern hit upon the idea of recreating the iconic Banksy Flower Thrower image using a real person. Stern enlisted a friend to act as the model, and the picture (above) was so widely shared that Stern continued the work.
Two sets of photos in the You Are Not Banksy series have been released so far. After the first set’s release, Stern told an interviewer he was “amazed and flattered” by the photos having gone viral. He also intimated a desire to continue the You Are Not Banksy series, and now he has. He released the second set this week.
Some of our favorites from both photo sets, juxtaposed with their Banksy inspirations, are collected below. The full series can be viewed at Nick Stern‘s site, where prints of his works may also be purchased.
(H/T: Fubiz, Curious Brain, and Bored Panda)
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Pulp Fiction
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Maid
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Caveman
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Crayon Soldier, which is now gone
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Don’t forget to eat your lunch
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s work in Bethlehem, Occupied West Bank
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Naked Man
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Peace Soldiers
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Snorting Copper
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Kissing Coppers
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Guantanemo
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Dog (Keith Haring tribute)
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s work on the side of a Poundland store in London
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Girl Holding a Bomb
Top image: Nick Stern. Bottom image: Banksy‘s Flower Thrower