Reclusive UK artist Banksy has opened an online shop.
The artist has included a number of terms and conditions for anyone looking to purchase the works on the ‘Gross Domestic Product’ website and has advised customers that it may “prove to be a disappointing retail experience - especially if you’re successful in making a purchase.”
He said the shop will not operate on a first-come-first-served basis – with customers given 12 days to register their interest in buying one of the pieces.
You can only register your interest after answering one of the artist’s questions.
Body armour at Banksy’s pop-up homeware store, Gross Domestic Product in London, 01-10-2019. Image: Aaron Chown/PA WireThe first batch of artworks has been price-fixed for “lower income patrons.”
“In most cases this is far below market value,” he said.
“Please refrain from registering at this time if you are a wealthy art collector.”
He said all the works are made in-studio and are produced by a “handful of people using recycled material wherever possible in a workplace culture of daytime drinking.”
A take on Tony the Tiger at Banksy’s pop-up homeware store, Gross Domestic Product in London, 01-10-2019. Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Merchandise at Banksy’s pop-up homeware store, Gross Domestic Product in London, 01-10-2019. Image: Aaron Chown/PA WireIt comes after thousands of people flocked to see the artist’s pop-up shop in London in recent weeks – before it was dismantled in the early hours of Monday morning.
The “shop that never opens” appeared on a Croydon street two weeks previously.
The artist said he was forced to open it following a trademark dispute with a greeting card company.
“A greetings card company is contesting the trademark I hold to my art and attempting to take custody of my name so they can sell their fake Banksy merchandise legally,” he said in a statement.
He said he believe the company was hoping he would not show up in court to defend himself.
