Page 61 - Arts Management Magazine Iss 1

BANKSY
NEW YORK

Banksy's worldwide fame has transformed Michael Reiss: Why is Banksy an
his artwork from what some called, “acts important artist?
of vandalism” to sought-after high art Stephan Keszler: I think he's an
pieces, which has been termed, “The important artist because what he
Banksy Effect.” Banksy is the subject of does is very smart very unique
the HBO documentary, Banksy Does and very British and very witty.
New York, which chronicles his October The other thing is I think alto-
2013, month long New York City resi- gether he's a Smart Genius. A PR
dency, where Banksy took to the streets guy. So the whole story around
and anonymously created a new piece of him is something very unique
street art each day. and this makes him a smart and
Stephan Keszler sells Banksy’s street art and good artist in my opinion.
was featured in the HBO documentary,
Banksy Does New York. I met with Keszler at MR: What do you think of
his Keszler Gallery in South Hampton, NY. Banksy’s choice to remain anon-
ymous?
“The only guy selling SK: It's his decision. But this is
original Banksy’s in my part of what I said before this is
opinion is me.” part of his marketing and smart-
ness. He's very bright and very
smart.

MR: How much of Banksy’s art
have you sold in the gallery?
SK: I've sold 15 major Banksy
Street works from $75,000 to 1.3
million dollars. I think nobody
else ever did this.

“I’m the villain in this movie.”

MR: Do you have any competitors selling Banksy street art?
SK: No, I'm a lonesome cowboy. This is what I like.

MR: Have you ever been in contact with Banksy or anyone from his
camp?
SK: I could say yes, but it is not true.

MR: How did you get started selling Banksy’s art, and how do you go about
acquiring it?
SK: I got offered Banksy prints for my gallery in Southampton. I showed
them at my gallery and it was a huge success and I saw his fans and his
new followers which I never saw before. I saw his work and I started to
fall in love with it. And then the next step was that I got contacted from
Bethlehem to acquire the major works, Stop and Search and the Wet

continued on page 63
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