Are Banksy’s graffiti art? Banksy is known for using the stencil technique, which involves applying spray paint over cut-out templates (made of paper, cardboard, or acetate). This doesn’t require a great deal of skill. So why are Banksy’s works so admired and valuable? Certainly not because of the technique, but because of their symbolism, their message, their poetry. Because in art, technique is secondary, what truly matters is symbolism and what it conveys. And anyone who doesn’t understand this doesn’t really understand art at all.