Image copyright Vanina Holasek Gallery
It’s hard to know which celebrity artist to dislike more, sculptor Damien Hirst and his jackass affinity for labeling every new work, “his most mature yet”, or graffiti artist Banksy for his seemingly endless juvenile commentary on art. In a head to head match, it’s unclear who would win, though Banksy’s temporary “I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shit” splash page last year during the auctions certainly gives Hirst a run for his money.
Unfortunately, it would appear idiocy merely breeds more idiocy; the press release for Banksy’s upcoming exhibition at Vanina Holasek Gallery putting proof in that pudding:
Following record auction sales of both Warhol and Banksy, critics have examined the similarities in both aesthetic and content between the two artists, their interest in celebrity culture, and their examination of social values. Like Warhol, Banksy has become a darling of the stars, with his works gracing the homes of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, Damien Hirst, Kate Moss, Robbie Williams. Banksy is undoubtedly a major player in terms of advancing the envelope of what art is with the result that over the past several years, his art has escalated in value faster than pretty much any substance known to man.
Only the emptiest promotion would identify Angelina Jolie and Jude Law as the arbiters of good taste and a legitimizing force behind an insubstantial at best Warhol comparison. Granted, a press release probably isn’t the right place to look for measured evaluation of any artist’s work, but the statement above only mimics the kind of spectacle many celebrity artists have become known for. In fact, following the quoted paragraph, piled accolades only add further to the obscenity: “He is a visionary, the leader of a new artistic movement and the anonymous poster boy for free speech,” reads the release as though the artist had single handedly invented graffiti. Who knows why anyone buys this crap, but surely those who spend too much time trying to figure it out will lose precious brain cells in the process. As a measure of self preservation, we suggest at least steering clear of his opening in Chelsea December 2. It’s bound to be a mad house, and will continue to contribute offer little to the field of fine art.
