Banksy’s tribute to NHS-workers. 6 May 2020

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Photograph: Banksy’s Instagram
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The canvas hanging at Southampton General Hospital. Photograph: Instagram / banksy_dealer

As reported by The Guardian, a few hours after the canvas appeared at the Southampton General Hospital in the southern UK:

“Banksy left a note for hospital workers, saying: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.”

After lockdown measures are lifted, the piece will be put on public display. It will then be auctioned to raise money for NHS charities, a spokeswoman for Banksy confirmed.

Paula Head, the chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS foundation trust, said: “Here at Southampton, our hospital family has been directly impacted with the tragic loss of much loved and respected members of staff and friends. The fact that Banksy has chosen us to recognise the outstanding contribution everyone in and with the NHS is making, in unprecedented times, is a huge honour.”

“It will be really valued by everyone in the hospital as people get a moment in their busy lives to pause, reflect and appreciate this piece of art. It will no doubt also be a massive boost to morale for everyone who works and is cared for at our hospital.”

A modified nativity set. 21 December 2019

A bittersweet reminder for us comfortable westerners that Christmas is not a celebration of peace, joy, and overeating for everyone.

In Banksy’s own words:

“Scar of Bethlehem. A modified nativity set for the @walledoffhotel”

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Photograph: Banksy’s Instagram

The same piece installed at the Walled Off Hotel:

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Photograph: @banksyarchive / Instagram

Banksy announces “Bbay – The approved used Banksy dealership”. 16 October 2019

Banksy’s handling service, Pest Control Office, has created one of the most efficient certification systems in the art world. They have also been active in the second-hand market, acting as intermediaries between sellers and buyers of Banksy’s certified prints and unique studio work. (This has nothing to do with street art pieces.)

Now it seems like they are taking it to a new level with the announced launch of http://www.Bbay.shop. It is an interesting development for the booming secondary market in Banksy artwork and will hopefully set a new standard for transparency in the art market.

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Gross Domestic Product opens for sale. 16 October 2019

Banksy opened his much-anticipated store on 16 October. Among the products on sale are two interesting prints: a three-frame version of Love is in the Air and Banksquiat, a homage to Jean-Michel Basquiat. These are Banksy’s first regular print releases since 2010.

In Banksy’s own words:

I’m opening a shop. It’s called Gross Domestic Product™. It sells art, homewares and disappointment.”

The items on display are on sale on the website www.grossdomesticproduct.com. Almost all of the items are limited editions. Therefore, a lottery system has been implemented for allocation purposes.

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Screenshots: www.grossdomesticproduct.com

Banksy comments on the sale of the ​ Devolved Parliament at Sotheby’s. 3 October 2019

After a 13-minute bidding duel for Devolved Parliament at Sotheby’s Evening Sale, a new auction record was set for Banksy with an £8.5 million hammer price. Including the buyer’s premium, the buyer has to cough up £9.9 million.

Banksy did comment on the sale a few hours later on his Instagram account:

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Screenshot: @banksy

Banksy designs stab-proof vest for Stormzy. 28 June 2019

Banksy comments on the knife-stabbing epidemic with a stab-proof vest for Croydon-born superstar Stormzy to wear at his headlining act at Glastonbury.

In his own words:

I made a customised stab-proof vest and thought – who could possibly wear this? Stormzy at Glastonbury.”

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Photo: Banksy’s Instagram

A few days later, Banksy published a Stormzy clip on his Youtube channel:

Stormzy backstage at Glastonbury 2019

Installation at Royal Academy of Arts. 11 June 2019

Banksy’s take on Brexit is well known, as seen in three pieces over the last two years. The first was the big mural in Dover, unveiled on 7 May 2017. The second piece contributed to last year’s summer exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, titled Vote to Love. And this year, Banksy is back at the RAA summer exhibition with an Archway salvaged from Heathrow Airport.

Banksy comments on Brexit fiasco. 28 March 2019

Devolved Parliament was originally exhibited at the Banksy vs. Bristol Museum in the summer of 2009. The show attracted over 300,000 visitors and was the most visited art exhibition in the UK that year.

The piece is one of Banksy’s largest oil paintings, measuring 4 metres by 2.5 metres. The artwork will be displayed again at Bristol Museum for 6 months, from 28 March to 1 September 2019.

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Screenshot: @banksy

The piece hanging at Bristol Museum in August 2019:

Photo: R.A.

Some details: