New Banksy Original on Ebay

Banksy Pants

A pretty large and cool Banksy original has just been put up on eBay. The piece entitled “Pants” is part of a charity project to raise awareness for the needs of asylum seekers currently living on the streets of London. It’s a really worthy cause, so Banksy has made this semi-new image based on his “Tesco Flag” stencil. So, if you’ve got £30,000 to spare (the opening bid), looks like this might be the place to do it.

Check out the auction on eBay or if you are so inclined, you can just donate directly to the NNLS here

Bonhams Auction Results

Just got home from tonight’s Bonhams Urban Art Auction. Results can be found here.

My immediate reactions can be found on the Vandalog Twitter.

In short, most work didn’t sell or was at the low end of the estimate (Banksy’s “Happy Copper” went for just above half the low estimate). The room was packed, but packed full of non-bidders interested in just seeing the results. The atmosphere was not depressing or so, but it was certainly a buyer’s market.

Surprise of the evening was the canvas by RESO which went for over £5000 (including buyer’s premium). I’ve never heard of him. To compare, two pretty good Supine pieces went unsold for much less. Anybody know about this RESO guy?

Thoughts on Bonhams February Auction

Spent some time today checking out the catolog for the February 24th urban art auction at Bonhams in London. A few people have noted the extremely high number of Banksy lots (22 of 78) and dismissed this auction, but I’ve found a few potential deals to be had. If you’ve got the money to spend and you can weed through the crap, people are looking to sell some really nice work. Here’s what I’ve found:

1. Banksy – Kate Moss (series of 6)
Estimate: £100,000 – 150,000

Banksy Kate Moss

There was a time when just one of these 6 could go for £100,000. Perhaps Banksy’s most sought after print. The winner of this auction will be a very lucky man/woman in a decade. Continue reading “Thoughts on Bonhams February Auction”

3 Reasons A Recession Is Good For Street Art

Work by K-Guy. Photo by K-Guy
Work by K-Guy. Photo by K-Guy

Everybody’s been talking about how the recession is going to destroy every part of our economy, and yeah, it probably will, but it’s not all bad new… street art might actually get a boost in the long run thanks to this economic downturn.

Here are three possible advantages for street art in this recession:

1. The not very talented artists who have found their way into galleries are going to be put in their place.
So many people have been buying street art either for the name of the artist, or just because it is street art. This year, some collectors are concerned that even great artists won’t sell much work. People have stopped buying for name or genre recognition. Collectors are buying those “special pieces” that they feel are particularly great. At the end of this recession, there are going to be a lot fewer crap street artists because their work  is going to stop selling. Nobody wants to buy a piece any more just because the Sotheby’s catalog describes it as “stencil and spray paint on found wood.” Continue reading “3 Reasons A Recession Is Good For Street Art”

Nick Walker and Gauging The Street Art Market

Next Tuesday the London Art Fair opens, and the world is watching. Bloomberg, Animal New York, The Art Collectors Blog, Artbleat, and others have all been talking about Black Rat Press’ print release Tuesday evening at the private opening: Nick Walker’s latest “Morning After Series” print. this one feature’s New York city and the Empire State Building. It’s an edition of 175, for £475 each.

Nick Walker's Morning After NYC
Nick Walker's "Empire State"

Besides just a print release, this particular print is being viewed as a sort of barometer for the state of the art market. Usually, Nick Walker prints are instant sell-out items for Black Rat, but nobody knows for sure what’s going to happen with so many collectors reluctant to spend. Continue reading “Nick Walker and Gauging The Street Art Market”

New Stella Dore Space

This week, Stella Dore expanded and reopened on the street art oasis that is Rivington Street. I suppose I’m a bit late to be posting the flyer for their grand opening night, but I didn’t make it over until yesterday afternoon.

The new space is bigger, nicer, and easier to find. It’s just a block from Black Rat Press and Behind the Shutters, so there’s no reason not to check it out if you’re in the area.

Right now, there’s work from some really talented artists, including Shock1 and Eelus.

Prices are reasonible too. I picked up a great Kid Acne spray can for just £30. I don’t expect it to fetch much at Bonhams or anything, but I like Kid Acne’s work.

Best of all, they’ve got a couple Banksy Christmas cards. Thanks to Romanywg for the tip there.