Andipa Editions Blog

Art and artists inhabit an unusual space within society and wider culture. Taking up seemingly diametric positions of challenging and questioning our world whilst simultaneously drawing from it, this hallowed position allows for ideas and concepts to flourish and grow. In the modern world with our 24 hour news and swipe left/right lifestyle the importance of challenging and commenting on what surrounds us is more important than ever. Banksy effortlessly and thoughtful picks up the mantle of what it means to be an artist with his intelligent, poignant and witty commentary on 21st century life. One such subject that recurs within his cannon is that of consumerism. Indeed, one would be hard pressed to think of the artist without his approach to the divisive subject. In today’s blog, we examine three iconic works by the elusive street artist seeking to understand the artist’s views and portrayal of consumerism and how these works fit into his wider narrative.

This week (25th of June 2021) has seen the world’s most popular artist lose two more trademarks in his iconic portfolio. Experts have suggested that Banksy will no longer be able to claim legal rights to his artwork following the latest ruling which means that he has now lost rights to a total of four of his works.

On a busy evening of 12th of May 2021 at Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Auction convention was thrown out the window. Lot 104, numerically, may not have much significance but the work itself certainly does. Measuring 90cm x 90cm and featuring a masked man throwing a bouquet of flowers at an invisible enemy (or perhaps the auction estimate), the simple yet powerful “Love is in the Air” by British street artist Banksy smashed its estimate into pieces. Listed at between 3,000,000 - 5,000,000 GBP Love Is In The Air from the edition of 15 blew away all expectations and went for 11,000,000 GBP. Likewise, the decision to list payment in Cryptocurrency further added excitement as the old seemed to be taken over by the new. 

Our latest unofficial Banksy museum exhibition, “Building Castles In The Sky” recently featured in Forbes Magazine’s online culture section. Written by Nel-Olivia Waga, the article details her experience and insights into the exhibition based around her values of "Conscious Luxury".