How comes Banksy never gets caught in the act?

ttaskmaster · 14 Feb 2020 at 16:32

robfosters said:
Revered artist who’s work is worth millions uses stencils.
Caravaggio must be turning in his grave.

Why?
Many (most?) classical artists like Caravaggio, Rembrandt, etc used apprentices to paint a lot of the work, to varying degrees, with the 'Master' only coming in at the last bit to paint in the highly skilled details. Caravaggio himself was apprenticed to Peterzano... and yet the Master always gets full credit for the whole thing.

robfosters · 14 Feb 2020 at 16:41

G-MAN2004 said:
Do you think it would increase the value of the house by much? Could be some easy money there for the family.

Judging by some of the comments on here, maybe not much, as the house is still in a ****hole.

McGray · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:17

Yeah Barton Hill is a shocker but so was/is St Pauls where there's loads of bits.

I'm not not buying no one knows who he is. Everyone in Bristol knows at least someone who knows him. That's what they tell me anyway.

krooton · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:20

ttaskmaster said:
Why?
Many (most?) classical artists like Caravaggio, Rembrandt, etc used apprentices to paint a lot of the work, to varying degrees, with the 'Master' only coming in at the last bit to paint in the highly skilled details. Caravaggio himself was apprenticed to Peterzano... and yet the Master always gets full credit for the whole thing.

And ghost producers do pretty much the same for musicians

rebel rebel · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:21

The media are in on it. Of course they know who he is!

Nasher · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:25

How many graffiti artists actually get caught full stop? Probably not many.

I doubt there is much interest in catching him either, since his work increases property values

Safetytrousers · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:32

I don't think it's Banksy who puts them on the walls.
I think he gets other people to do it.
And being dressed as road workers and such really does work.

rebel rebel · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:34

I wonder what would happen if the owner of a house Banksy stenciled on decided to press charges.

Nasher · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:35

Press charges against who?

You need a name first.

lokiss · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:36

Nasher said:
How many graffiti artists actually get caught full stop? Probably not many.

I got naff'd when I was 14 by the parish council, doing it on your own patch in a village wasn't the cleverest though.

There was a piece on the radio a few months ago with a commenter saying that he doesn't even do them himself anymore. How true that is I've no idea.

rebel rebel · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:38

Nasher said:
Press charges against who?

You need a name first.

The guys put exhibitions on all over the world, is a multimillionaire, there's no way he isn't known to the authorities.

Safetytrousers · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:46

rebel rebel said:
The guys put exhibitions on all over the world, is a multimillionaire, there's no way he isn't known to the authorities.

The person who designs it all can get other people to front for him.

McGray · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:47

Lol sue Banksy for the price of a a repaint or sell your house for £1m. Hmmmm.....

rebel rebel · 14 Feb 2020 at 17:50

Safetytrousers said:
The person who designs it all can get other people to front for him.

Is it a "real" Banksy piece if some other guy sprayed it? Surely he has to have some input on the finished piece.

McGray said:
Lol sue Banksy for the price of a a repaint or sell your house for £1m. Hmmmm.....

I didn't say it would be an intelligent thing to do.

unwashed potato! · 14 Feb 2020 at 21:48

It's stencils so literally minutes and done.

It's also done by more than one person.

I also doubt Banksy is the one "painting" anymore.

robfosters · 14 Feb 2020 at 21:52

How does Banksy himself earn money?

unwashed potato! · 14 Feb 2020 at 22:05

Selling art that he then shreds :eek:

I assume that he does get commissioned for some of the work he does. Private work perhaps but I'm sure there must be a demand.

Maybe also merchandise but can't be sure if he owns the rights and how it works

Destination · 14 Feb 2020 at 22:18

Isn't Banksy one of the guys out of massive attack?

GGizmo · 14 Feb 2020 at 22:33

He must be known to the police, otherwise it makes them look at bit silly that they can't catch a graffiti artist.

I'm sure there are people who know him on the scene. I had a friend years ago who used to do similar things. He would take pictures of all his work.

It won't be just some random unknown guy.

rebel rebel · 14 Feb 2020 at 23:07

robfosters said:
How does Banksy himself earn money?

Probably through private commissions. Unless Sotheby's give him a percentage.