Banksy

I love Banksy’s work, I love graffiti and I love art.  Whilst primarily this blog is about Banksy as a kind of fan site I have covered imitators and have loved the little beef with Robbo of late as it gives me something to write about on the quiet, cold and dark British nights.

I spotted over at I love Graffiti they’ve got a little interview with Robbo, which in it, he discussed the recent Banksy incidents:

Beside of the matter of principle, do you consider your conflict with Banksy as “war” or “fun”?

Robbo: I consider it fun, I’m playing him at his own game and winning. When i was younger i would have looked at the situation differently and i would have been really PISSED and taken out all of bnksys work with no respect.

You should definitely head over there and check out the full interview.

Already picked up by quite a few other sites but it seems Robbo has struck again.  I thought he’d have been happy as he had the last laugh.

Remember this piece Banksy put up recently?

Well Team Robbo have just tagged it with a message of “Did you think it was over?”

Have to admit, even as a Banksy fan, I’m enjoying the Eastenders like drama of the graffiti world . Check our the original Banksy Vs. Robbo post if you have no idea what I’m going on about.

Marie wrote in asking if Banksy was having any exhibitions during 2010.

Whilst I’ve heard of none do any of the readers know of any exhibitions in 2010 that will be shwing any Banksy pieces?

toothpastefordinner.com

So during the Christmas Holidays Graffoto among other broke some news over the recent Banksy Camden piece.  If you’re not sure which piece I’m talking about it’s below.

Now as it transpires, before Banksy put up his piece, the original piece behind it was from a well known, old skool writer from London called Robbo.  This piece is very historic, dating back to 1985!

Now spraying over another artists work is a big no no (Vandalog has a great piece covering this issue), and is frowned upon by all but there is more than meets the eye to what Banksy did on this occasion.  In the book  “London Handstyles”, there is a story from Robbo: ‘I was out one night with a load of old writers and got introduced to Banksy. He asked what I wrote and I told him, he cockily replied ”never heard of you” so I slapped him and said, ”you may not of heard of me but you will never forget me”.

Robbo has replied rather quickly, wittingly and in true style by again changing the Camden decorator piece..

So will this now be the end of the beef between Robbo and Banksy, or will Banksy strike again?  I for one hope he doesn’t as I’d hate to see quite possibly the most celebrated graffiti writer in a pathetic beef that takes the attention from the art and message normally involved in his works.

This story has also been picked up by a massive number of other online sources due to the Banksy involvement, which has probably raised the profile of Robbo.

All four new Banksy pieces on the Regents Canal from December 2009; graffiti wallpaper incorporating a pretty trashed but legendary Robbo piece, I don’t believe in global warming on the waterline of a block of flats, fishing boy under Oval Road and aristocrat on the river bank all viewed in a 1 min and 20 second walkthrough

Thanks to Art of the State and ArrestedMotion.

Just kidding!  Hope you had a good Christmas and new year, your normal Banksy news service will shortly resume!

Okay so I’m a bit late, apologies, I’ve been enjoying far too much of the Christmas spirit(s) .  Hope you’re all looking forward to the break and that you’ll enjoy these new pieces spotted by Mammal and Curley in London this week.

I I Don’t Believe in Global Warming

Banksy Rat

Banksy

Thanks to ArrestedMotion

Sourharvest is running an interview with Jon Halperin, an avid art collector who mentions a few bits about his Banksy pieces among his treasure trove of art.

What was your biggest score of 2009 collecting wise? Best score to date?
Best score to date? Any of my six Banksy prints….I realize that I may not be a lot to some, but I cherish them….

If you could add any piece of artwork to your collection, from any time period, which work would that be?
Banksy from 2002-ish. I realize I would appear mensa if I said Picasso or Chagal or something like that. But I am pop as shit. I make Britney Spears look metal.

Not exactly direct Banksy related news but hey, we’re all here as we love all things Banksy, including immitation art.  I noticed Mr X Stitch had this piece on Banksy’s Flowerbomber.