There’s much speculation as to the name and identity of UK street artist Banksy, however no one has come forward to claim the title – and the fame and glory that goes with it. (This is probably because, according to Simon Hattenstone who completed a 2003 interview with the artist, “anonymity is vital to him because graffiti is illegal”.
The mystery that surrounds Banksy perhaps contributes to his appeal: an intangible secret that remains under lock and key, but one that could be revealed at any moment.
There’s one thing that remains steadfast with Banksy however, and that is his ability to surprise. Whether it’s shredding an artwork or completing a mural on walls of a primary school, you never quite know what the artist will do next.
Forum Auctions is capitalising on the hot Banksy buzz and market by offering bidders and Banksy enthusiasts 10 editions in an online sale. Bidding starts at 1pm on Wednesday 27 February.
Included in the sale is Nola (White Rain), which first appeared in New Orleans in 2008 on a wall on St. Claude Avenue at Kerlerec Street in Marigny. Today, the piece (as well as others in the area) is fiercely protected.
When Banksy was interviewed about the work, he said it represents how things that are used to protect us can cause us harm. The rain, rather unusually, falls from within the umbrella, failing its one function: to protect the girl from getting wet.
This Love Rat work is of particular value as it was the first of Banky’s many iconic rats to make it into print form. Banksy uses rats as a tool to mock or criticise humans, and as a consequence the artist often anthropomorphises the animal, giving them human characteristics and attitudes to demonstrate humans’ flaws and vices. An anagram for art, the rat can also be seen as Banksy himself: rats are often chased by the authorities and typically act at night.
The idea behind this work is that the heart, the only touch of colour to the print, is bleeding – love can hurt. When Banksy advertised this piece of work on his website he joked that it was “ideal for a cheating spouse”.
Banky’s Tesco Soup Can series is a play on the famous 1962 Campbell Soup Can pop art series by Andy Warhol.
While Warhol arguably had a positive attitude towards consumerism and capitalist companies, Banksy's print is in clear, steadfast opposition to the British company Tesco. Instead of featuring all the flavours of tinned tomato soups, as Warhol had done, all of Banksy’s Soup Can works depict the same label (tomato soup) as a way to criticise mass production of food products.
