Banksy encourages stealing from luxury store after unauthorised use of his artwork
Banksy has appeared to encourage shoplifters to target a luxury fashion store in London after they used his artwork without permission.
The elusive street artist told his followers on Instagram to go to the Guess store in Regent Street to steal items after they “helped themselves” to one of his most iconic artworks for a recent campaign.
Posting a photo of the front window display of the store, he wrote, “Attention all shoplifters. Please go to GUESS on Regent Street.”
“They’ve helped themselves to my artwork without asking, how can it be wrong for you to do the same to their clothes?” he told his 11.5 million followers.
The Guess display, which showcased their capsule collection called Brandalised, features several of Banksy’s works, which he claims were used without his authorisation.
The clothing company’s official announcement for the capsule collection used the word “inspired” and said the items were produced in partnership with Brandalised, an urban graffiti license “whose mission is to offer Banksy fans affordable graffiti collectibles.”
“The graffiti of Bansky has had a phenomenal influence that resonates throughout popular culture,” Guess Chief Creative Officer Paul Marciano said in the press release.
“This new capsule collection with Brandalised is a way for fashion to show its gratitude.”
After Banksy posted the message on Instagram, the BBC reported that Guess closed the store, put security outside, and covered the window display.
Image credits: Instagram / Getty Images