This was forwarded to me:
Thanks a million for the mail.
The street art world has become quite insane since it's popularization by
Banksy. The demand for his work has fueled art speculation for him and other
similar artists. Many releases are being bought, simply to resell on ebay with
inflated prices. This is bad for everyone in my opinion.
Should these artists restrict their work simply to the streets? I'm not sure,
each to their own. I think there are limits to how one should sell oneself, I
often used to describe Obey/Shep Fairey as the US
Banksy. However I think that this comparison is no longer true. Shep is an
incorporated industry, and now has a European "division". Banksy does
not mass produce in this way, and though his work is equally or more
commercial, he has not committed to selling one new print every week,
regardless of quality. Shep has done this.
I understand your concerns about taking street art to the galleries. However I
think that ship has sailed. People want urban art in their houses, and as long
as this is the case, artists and dealers alike will fill that void, with
originals or replicas. I mean there are cases of people skinning or knocking
down walls to get a Banksy. The demand is there, and in the interest of the
building's safety, perhaps a paper representation of the work is not a bad
idea.
Well those are my quickly disorganized thoughts on the situation.
Anyhow, I hope you're well,
Shane
June 2008