Banksy Opens Up The GrossDomesticProduct™ Homeware Store in London
“The proceeds from these products will go towards buying a new migrant rescue boat.”
Following his unauthorized installation during Venice Biennale 2019, Banksy is now planning to disrupt the upcoming Frieze London festivities with a spontaneous pop-up. The elusive British artist took to the Croydon neighborhood of South London to set up his GrossDomesticProduct™ homeware store.
The pop-up whimsically replicates the exterior and interior displays of an antique shop. The store is filled with sardonic home decor such as derelict love seats and throw pillows embroidered with the phrase “Life’s Too Short.” Moreover, select paintings including his ‘Flower Thrower’ is mounted with an ornate frame alongside a television screen that features his ‘Season’s Greetings’ 2019 mural. One of the highlighted pieces in the Croydon installation is Stormy’s Union Jack vest from Glastonbury.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, Banksy was forced to open the shop after a legal battle involving a greeting card company. “A greetings cards company is contesting the trademark I hold to my art, and attempting to take custody of my name so they can sell their fake Banksy merchandise legally,” said Banksy to the news outlet. “I think they’re banking on the idea I won’t show up in court to defend myself.”
Passersby will be able to visit the store for the next two weeks, but its doors will never open. “The proceeds from these products will go towards buying a new migrant rescue boat to replace the one confiscated by Italian authorities,” added Bansky. “So you may well be committing a criminal offence [sic] by purchasing them.”
Get a look inside the shop by watching the video above. For updates, visit Banksy’s dedicated website for the shop here. In related news, Banksy’s artwork collection broke his own record with a $1.3 million USD auction sale.
