Bansky, one of the most mysterious artists of our generation has just launched his online shop, specialising in “art, homewares and disappointment”.
Gross Domestic Product is Banksy’s first official entry into the business of merchandising. And it came about to settle some legal problems.
Considering a recent Bansky auction netted close to US $1.5 million, Banksy can’t be short of cash. The website and a showroom of the same name in Croydon, London was opened so Banksy could legitimately claim the rights to the Banksy trademark. Trademarks cannot be claimed unless they are being used, meaning Banksy had to release some kind of merchandise with his name so that legally no one else could use the name.
The result is the online shop that has “price fixed the first releases for lower-income patrons,” said Banksy to HYPEBEAST. The satirical homeware portal in usual Banksy fashion features a variety of anti-capitalist, anti-establishment products all poking fun at the world we live in.
“This is not a proper shop – I mean it is an actual shop, it sells stuff and offers refunds and complies with data protection – but all the products are made in an art studio, not a factory. We use recycled materials wherever possible and there’s an ingrained culture of daytime drinking, so supply is limited and it might take a while getting to you. Shopping with us is likely to be a disappointing retail experience – especially if you’re successful in making a purchase,” said Banksy to HYPEBEAST.
Take a look below at the current selection of products, and their descriptions at the time of writing:
Banksy Clock
Price: £500.00/ AED 2,345 (approx.)
Quantity: 50 pieces
Description: Upcycled from an office supplies store, this timepiece features a trademark Banksy rat and is suitable for home, office or Home Office. The precision mechanism requires 1x AA battery to accurately mark our relentless and steady ticking towards the great unknown. Screen printed in black and individually hand smudged. Signed on the reverse.
Banksy Met ball
Price: £500.00/ AED 2,345 (approx.)
Quantity: 50 pieces
Description: This home entertainment lighting system is made from an old Police riot helmet and approximately 650 little mirrors. Signed on the inside.
Banksy Clutch bag
Price: £750.00/ AED 3,550 (approx.)
Quantity: 1
Description This fashion-forward accessory is made from a genuine real life house brick and is perfect for the kind of person who doesn’t carry much but might need to whack someone in the face. Probably no less practical than the output of most haute couture fashion houses. Made from random bits of old handbag so yours may differ from the one pictured.
Banksy Duck & Cover
Price: £500.00/ AED 2,365 (approx.)
Quantity: 15
Description: An updated version of the classic 70’s design classic of three flying ducks – this relief wall decoration depicts a fleet of unmanned predator drones descending in formation. Comes as a set of three. Hand painted resin and signed.
Banksy Balloon Tee
Price: £35.00/ AED
Quantity: Limitless
Description: This image has been the jewel in the crown of every Banksy bootlegger for the past 15 years, now the first official version comes with an actual jewel on it. Screenprint on guilt-free fair trade tee with pendant.
Banksy Black
Price: £10.00/ AED 50 (approx.)
Quantity: Limitless
Description: It might look like Banksy has torn the label off an old can of paint, written his name on it, and is trying to market it as a brand new product (just to prevent a paint company from getting there first) – but that is certainly not what’s happened, no. This is trademarked Banksy paint, an exciting new addition to the world of branded wall coverings.
Banksy Tagged tee
Price: £30.00/ AED 140 (approx.)
Quantity: Limitless
Description: An attempt to fulfil the trademark requirement to sell clothing with the artists name written on – these tagged tees are made out of charity shop shirts vandalised with stainer ink, spraypaint or oil stick. Every one is different, will last a while but might stain other stuff if you wash it at the same time. Sizes vary.
Banksy Early Learning Counting Set
Price: £750.00/ AED 3,550 (approx.)
Quantity: 5
Description: Engage all your child’s learning muscles with this fun counting game. See how many figures they can fit in the truck while it makes a quick stop. Wipe clean finish, contains small parts unsuitable for under 12’s. Proceeds from the sale of this item are used to support migrant rescue missions in the Mediterranean. Italian courts have ruled this illegal so customers are advised the purchase of this item could constitute a criminal offence. Signed.
Banksy Banksquiat
Price: £500.00/ AED 2,365
Quantity: 300
Description: A print made in homage to New York post-graffiti pioneer Jean-Michel Basquiat. In which Banksy is cleverly questioning the relentless commodification of Basquiat in recent times – by crassly adding to the relentless commodification of Basquiat in recent times. Two different papers – black and grey board Signed.
Banksy Mug
Price: £10.00/ AED 50 (approx.)
Quantity: Limitless
Description: Have you ever looked at a Banksy and thought – my kid could do that? Well so has Banksy and now they have. Required to release a range of branded mugs the artist got the kids to do it, then signed the result. Fully glazed and some feature a charming spelling error. Comes in a random selection of designs.
Banksy Ultra HD TV
Price: TBD
Quantity: TBD
Description: Perfect for the snowflake generation, a 55 inch colour TV with a big Banksy on it. Which is totally fine from an art point of view, but does substantially impair viewing quality. Made to order when the used TV’s becomes available. Signed.
Banksy x Escif Axe
Price: £750.00/ AED 3,550 (approx)
Quantity: 3
Description: Made in collaboration with Spanish artist Escif this hand made tool with a happy ending makes a fine decorative companion to fireside or radiator. Made from polymer resin so not much good for actually chopping wood. Signed.
Banksy Shredded tee
Price: £30.00/ AED 140 (approx.)
Quantity: Limitless
Description: The same played-out old image, this time attacked with a knife by the artist. On-trend consumers might be aware that Vogue magazine calls ‘fringing’ a ‘hot trend’ this season. Shame we don’t ship until Christmas. Screenprint on fair trade tee. Probably not really machine washable now. XS size only.
Banksy Thrower
Price: £750.00/ AED 3,550 (approx.)
Quantity: 100
Description: This is Banksy’s first experiment with a new technique for making prints – spray the stencil onto processing film and expose the result directly onto a silk screen. This avoids photography or computer manipulation and creates a super accurate analogue representation of gestural mark making. In other words – looks pretty dope. Comes as set of three signed and numbered. A black and white hand finished edition will be available at some point.
Banksy Vest
Price: £850.00/ AED 4,020 (approx.)
Quantity: 1
Description: A version of the ‘John Bull’ English gents waistcoat updated for modern times. This customised body armour is capable of stopping bullets up to .45 calibre and is fully stab proof, yet not machine washable. As worn by Stormzy at Glastonbury festival (because it’s very dangerous there). One size only.
Banksy Soft Toys
Price: £600.00/ AED 2,840 (approx.)
Quantity: 5
Description: This delightful wall-mounted collection of critters is perfect for the Blue Planet generation. Made from charity shop kids toys and genuine random beach detritus, so may contain germs/infectious substances. Made as the toys become available. Sold as a set of three. Signed.
Banksy Golfish
Price: TBD
Quantity: TBD
Description: TBD
Banksy Baby Mobile
Price: TBA
Quantity: TBA
Description: Banksy has created the ultimate ceiling mounted stimulus toy to prepare your little one for the journey ahead – a lifetime of constant scrutiny both state sanctioned and self imposed. Doesn’t rotate very well, some self assembly required.
Banksy Cushions
Price: £150.00/ 700 AED (approx.)
Quantity: Limitless
Description: Are you fed up with soft furnishings trying to express feelings on your behalf? Then let these stencilled cushions make that clear. They come as a pair but might not match as they’re painted on what gets found in the charity shop. Comes as a set of two.
Banksy Rug
Price: TBD
Quantity: TDB
Description: A bit of old carpet painted to resemble the diabetes riddled corpse of Tony the tiger, this floor covering makes quite the conversation piece – especially if the conversation centres around the UK spending over £7.8million a year on tooth extractions for the under 5’s. Carpet with resin head. Suitable for vegetarians. Signed.
Banksy Welcome mat
Price: £500.00/ AED 2,365 (approx.)
Quantity: Limitless
Description: This mat is hand stitched using the fabric from life vests abandoned on the beaches of the Mediterranean. Customers are advised they no longer constitute a valid buoyancy aid – although shockingly many never did – they’re cheap fakes sold by people smugglers and don’t actually float. To fabricate the mats Banksy has teamed up with the organisation ‘Love Welcomes’ who work with women in detainment camps in Greece. You can make your order by visiting their website here. All proceeds are retained locally to help refugees access key services. Life vest not included.
Banksy Tombstone
Price: TBD
Quantity: TBD
Description: What do you buy for the person who has everything? A 230kg reminder that you can’t take it with you. Hand carved by Banksy in a slab of Portland stone. Collection only – from the quarry.
