Banksy’s iconic Monkey Detonator sells for £97,250 at Bonhams Urban Art sale

LONDON.- Several works by the renowned graffiti artist Banksy were sold yesterday evening (21 September 2011) in a packed saleroom at Bonhams, New Bond Street, as part of its Urban Art sale. Leading the way was a work featuring one of Banksy’s most iconic images, the monkey, entitled Monkey Detonator, which had attracted a pre-sale estimate of £70,000 – 90,000, and was sold for £97,250. Executed in 2000, this canvas displays the typically dark sense of humour which has endeared Banksy to [...]

Snap up an iconic work by Banksy or Shepard Fairey at Bonhams Urban Art sale

LONDON.- Several works by the renowned graffiti artist Banksy are to be sold at Bonhams, New Bond Street, as part of its Urban Art sale on 21 September 2011. Leading the way is a work featuring one of Banksy’s most iconic images, the monkey, entitled Monkey Detonator, which has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £70,000 – 90,000. Executed in 2000, this canvas displays the typically dark sense of humour which has endeared Banksy to both art collectors and the general public. Other [...]

Judge in New York Drops Claims in Shepard Fairey vs. Associated Press Obama ‘HOPE’ Lawsuit

NEW YORK (AP).- A judge has dismissed copyright lawsuits between an artist who created the Barack Obama “HOPE” image and The Associated Press but has left a March trial date in place for related claims between the news service and companies that sold merchandise using the artist’s image. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein said in a one-page order publicly filed Tuesday that a “suggestion of settlement” led him to dismiss claims between artist Shepard Fairey and the AP. He said [...]

The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston Announces Two New Curatorial Appointments

BOSTON, MA.- Jill Medvedow, director of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston (ICA) announced today the appointment of Jenelle Porter as senior curator, effective January 2011, and Pedro Alonzo as adjunct curator, effective immediately. “These appointments come during a period of great energy and growth at the museum as the ICA continues to evolve in its waterfront home and our curatorial ranks expand,” said Medvedow. “Both Jenelle and Pedro share our commitment to connecting audiences with the joy and inspiration that contemporary [...]

Trial Date Set in Associated Press-Shepard Fairey Dispute in NYC

NEW YORK (AP).- A March trial date was set Monday to decide whether the artist who created the Barack Obama “HOPE” image violated The Associated Press’ copyright when he based the image on one of the news agency’s pictures. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein said Monday that the selection of eight jurors for a three-week trial will start March 21 in New York. Artist Shepard Fairey appeared in court with his lawyers Monday but declined to comment afterward. Fairey [...]

Photographer and Associated Press Drop Claims Against Each Other

NEW YORK (AP).- A photographer who took a picture that the Barack Obama “HOPE” image was based on dropped his claim Friday that he owns the copyright to the photograph, instead of The Associated Press. The AP also dropped its claim against him. The stipulation between the AP, photographer Mannie Garcia, and artist Shepard Fairey and his related companies was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where a judge is presiding over a legal fight to decide whether Fairey [...]

New York Judge Urges Settlement in Obama Poster Dispute

NEW YORK, NY (AP).- A judge urged Friday that a copyright dispute between an artist and The Associated Press over the Barack Obama “HOPE” image be settled quickly, saying it was likely the AP would win the case. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein made the suggestion at a hearing in which he ordered Fairey’s lawyers to turn over records of communications Fairey had with his lawyers before he sued the AP in February 2009. He also said AP lawyers can [...]

Banksy makes his Canadian debut

Banksy is in Toronto! Or at least, Banksy’s operatives. Or someone pretending to be Banksy. Or someone imitating Banksy. Or just an ad agency. Or… Whatever. It’s all designed to promote his new film, which is all you need to know. The most honest and direct moment in Exit Through the Gift Shop comes about halfway through, shortly after the narrative takes us through the moment when Banksy went from being an infamous and mysterious street artist to a rich [...]

Exhibition of New Work by Shepard Fairey at Deitch Projects

NEW YORK, NY.- Deitch Projects presents May Day, an exhibition of new work by Shepard Fairey, as its final project. Titled not only in reference to the day of the exhibition’s opening, the multiple meanings of May Day resonate throughout the artist’s new body of work. Originally a celebration of spring and the rebirth it represents, May Day is also observed in many countries as International Worker’s Day or Labor Day, a day of political demonstrations and celebrations coordinated by [...]

Evidence Ordered Released in Shepard Fairey ‘HOPE’ Case

NEW YORK.- Lawyers for artist Shepard Fairey must disclose the identities of anyone who deleted or destroyed records related to a copyright dispute over the Barack Obama “HOPE” image, a judge said Monday. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ruled in favor of The Associated Press in most of its requests for evidence, including when Fairey’s lawyers first knew the AP had asserted that it holds the copyright to a photograph the image was based on. He said lawyers must [...]

1800 Tequila Essential Artists Edition

A slug of tequila has always offered a certain measure of support to artists toiling in obscurity. However, that point has rarely been made as literally as by Proximo Spirits, which has been giving emerging artists a platform through the Essential Artists editions series for its best-selling 1800 Tequila. 1800 Tequila has asked 12 artists to adorn its bottle with their art The 1800 bottle’s design has always been functional — the stopper doubles as a shot glass — but [...]

The Boston Globe Names the ICA – “Biggest Arts Story of the Decade”

BOSTON, MA.- In a round-up of major developments on the Boston art scene, the Boston Globe recently named the Institute of Contemporary Art “the biggest art story of the decade.” Following a string of successful shows, such as Anish Kapoor, Past, Present, Future, Tara Donovan, and Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand, theICA’s latest exhibition, Damián Ortega: Do It Yourself , is on view for just a few more weeks. Called “masterful” (Art Papers), “seductive” (New York Times), and “a kind [...]