Melissa on the road: Banksy strikes - again

01/10/2019

Banksy strikes - again - in London

The infamous Bristolian artist has announced today the opening of his own (counter-)shop

The "shop" has appeared overnight on Church Street in Croydon, South London, and a website is also available to take orders... Headlining on the homepage: "Gross Domestic Product", subtitled "The homewares store from Banksy". Opening soon...

Photo evidence on the shop's website:

Among many of his signatures items/artworks featured in the shop is his stab vest created for grime superstar Stormzy.

"I'm opening a shop today," the artist wrote on his Instagram account, "although the doors don't actually open." Adding: "probably best viewed at night".

London Frenzy and Mediterranean Rescues

Large crowds apparently gathered on Tuesday morning, on the corner of Church Street and Frith Road, to see the Banksy homewares store .

The move can of course be interpreted as a reaction to the multiplication of unauthorised shops/exhibitions/corners reproducing Banksy's work without his permission.

In a statement sent to the media, Banksy explained that he was being "forced" to launch the online shop - called Gross Domestic Product as mentioned - because a greeting cards company was attempting to legally trade off of his name.

And he's been advised that opening a shop selling his own merchandise could help him protect the trademark on his art...

Here is the full statement: "A greetings cards company is contesting the trademark I hold to my art, and attempting to take custody of my name so they can sell their fake Banksy merchandise legally. I think they're banking on the idea I won't show up in court to defend myself."

The "adviser", Mr Mark Stephens, said to the press: “Banksy is in a difficult position because he doesn’t produce his own range of shoddy merchandise and the law is quite clear — if the trademark holder is not using the mark then it can be transferred to someone who will.”

Of course, the move can appear as a little controversial from the self-proclaimed anti-capitalist provocateur... But how else to remain in control of his messages in this greedy materialistic world?

Banksy added: "I still encourage anyone to copy, borrow, steal and amend my art for amusement, academic research or activism. I just don't want them to get sole custody of my name."

However, the artist wants to specifically use the profits from this endeavour to buy a boat to rescue migrants caught up in the crisis in the Mediterranean.

Banksy explained: “The proceeds from these products will go towards buying a new migrant rescue boat to replace the one confiscated by Italian authorities. So you may well be committing a criminal offence by purchasing them.”

Among the items on sale are thus welcome mats made from life vests salvaged from the Mediterranean, each hand-stitched by women living in migrant camps in Greece...

Sotheby's Vol. II

Coincidentally, the same week, one of Banksy's paintings, Devolved Parliament - showing the House of Commons packed with chimpanzees, is also on auctioned at Sotheby's in London, on Thursday.

It's put on sell by Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison, owner of street art gallery Rise, who said: "It's incredible that we have this work, very clearly the work of a very famous artist who we all kind of love. It couldn't be any more authentic."

The painting had been on display in Bristol Museum for most of the month of June this year, where I have been interviewed myself about Banksy's work the the European television network, ARTE.