Banksy told his followers to shoplift from the Regent Street Guess store in London after it displayed a collection that used his artwork without permission.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/1977881

Excerpt:

Banksy isn’t happy with Guess’ latest collaboration.

The legendary anonymous graffiti artist had a directive for his followers on Friday, encouraging them—possibly tongue in cheek, possibly not—to visit the Regent Street Guess store in London and steal the brand’s new collection that features his artwork.

“Attention all shoplifters. Please go to Guess on Regents Street. They’ve helped themselves to my artwork without asking, how can it be wrong for you to do the same to their clothes?”

  • Cylusthevirus
    13•9 months ago

    Doesn’t Banksy’s entire schtick hang on “helping himself” to a “canvas?”

    • @adrian783English
      12•9 months ago

      nahhhh. we know who he is, and he collaborates with local authorities to put up his art. and retains all rights to it of course.

      so he is actually very justified in feeling this way because he unironically greatly benefits from the commercial side of things.

      of course, he still wants us to think this is some counterculture shit.

      • @SquizzyEnglish
        7•9 months ago

        I don’t know that this is strictly true, he has had works painted over before and notably had a rivalry with that Manchester King fella and they re did each others works regularly.

        • @[email protected]English
          8•9 months ago

          Yeah and the rappers that make diss tracks about each other totally hate each other too, it’s not for publicity at all, they’d really kill each other if only they had a chance. Too bad they’re too busy making millions.

          • @SquizzyEnglish
            7•9 months ago

            That’s not what I’m saying, I think you’re being intentionally negative and obtuse. Yes there is a commercial aspect, no it not a given that everything he does is with the approval of local governments.

            He didn’t stand to gain anything by feuding with the other street artist.

            Also there are lots of hiphop feuds that do famously bleed into real life and too many have died. Are there people who use this narrative to further their careers, yes but it doesn’t make everything fake.

            • @[email protected]English
              1•9 months ago

              He stands to gain attention and notoriety, which is why he does everything he does. As does the other street artist. If you don’t think it was a publicity stunt fine, I certainly can’t prove it was, but that’s what I believe.