by samdecle

Many art critics and government officials argue that so-called street art is nothing more than glorified graffiti at best and acts of vandalism at worst. It is not uncommon for even the most famous pieces of street art to be painted over by council agencies or the owners of the buildings on which they were painted. Despite this, street art has significantly risen in popularity and public awareness in recent years, largely due to the elusive guerrilla artist known as Banksy.

You have likely seen reproductions of his work printed on canvases and t-shirts, and perhaps, if you’ve been fortunate, you’ve seen some of his original work while it still existed. Although Banksy himself does not use reproductions of his work for commercial purposes (he even gives away free copies of his prints in the “shop” section of his website), original pieces are being sold for substantial sums of money. For example, online bidding for a wall that Banksy painted on in January 2008 closed with a final price of £208,100 after 69 bids. The owner of the wall had estimated that removing the piece would cost an additional £5,000, to be paid by the buyer. Banksy’s work is also popular with several celebrities; at an exhibition in Los Angeles, Angelina Jolie reportedly spent £200,000 on some of his work. Christina Aguilera purchased three works at Banksy’s Soho gallery in April 2006 for £25,000. More recently, a piece of Banksy’s work that Kate Moss had purchased for £80,000 was stolen from her home.

It seems that regardless of what critics and government officials think of street art, it has become big business for Banksy, other street artists, and those who sell their work. More than that, Banksy’s work and his liberal stance on copyright have allowed hundreds of small businesses to grow and thrive, selling everything from Banksy prints to Banksy bags to Banksy t-shirts. These businesses, in my opinion, are the real winners.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME