Having handled hundreds of Banksy prints and spent years tracking the artist’s evolving market, Joe is uniquely placed to answer the questions collectors ask most. In this rapid-fire Q&A, he tackles 50 questions covering everything from authentication and condition to collecting, market trends and, of course, the mystery of who Banksy really is…
Q: First Banksy you ever sold?
Q: What year?
2008.
Q: Early Banksy or late Banksy?
Early Banksy.
Q: Favourite street piece?
The Mild Mild West.
Q: Girl With Balloon or Flower Thrower?
Girl With Balloon.
Q: Signed or unsigned?
Q: Does edition number matter?
To some people, yes.
Q: One thing every Banksy collector should keep safe?
The Pest Control certificate.
Discover how Banksy authenticates his artworks through Pest Control.
Q: Why would you buy a Banksy without Pest Control?
You shouldn’t.
Q: How long does a Pest Control CoA take to come through?
How long is a piece of string?
Q: One Banksy story you’ve never forgotten?
Banksy’s real name is Dave Jones.
Q: Has the Banksy market peaked?
No.
Q: What’s one question you’re sick of being asked?
Has the Banksy market peaked?
Q: How many Banksy prints do you think you’ve handled?
Hundreds.
Q: Which print would Banksy probably laugh at for selling for today’s prices?
Girl With Balloon.
Q: If you had £30K to spend today, what would you buy?
Probably an unsigned Love Is In The Air.
Q: If money was no object?
Q: Favourite Choose Your Weapon colourway?
Q: Biggest condition issue in Banksy prints?
Mount burn.
Q: Rarest Banksy you’ve ever handled?
I can’t say, sorry.
Q: If Banksy weren’t an artist, what would he be?
A police warden.
Q: Gross Domestic Product or Barely Legal?
Barely Legal.
Q: Most underrated Banksy print?
Probably Rude Copper.
Q: Is Banksy a better artist or marketeer?
Artist.
Q: Which Banksy print have you looked at more than any other?
Girl With Balloon.
Q: Best deal in the market right now?
Girl With Balloon.
Q: Biggest red flag when buying?
No certificate.
Q: Biggest green flag?
Certificate.
Q: Most expensive mistake you’ve seen?
Buying framed works.
Q: First thing you look at when someone sends you a Banksy?
Well, certificate hopefully. If not, the numbering.
Q: If you could ask Banksy one question, what would it be?
Do you still love doing what you do?
Q: Rats or monkeys?
Q: Which Banksy print will people still be talking about in 100 years?
Girl With Balloon.
Q: Can you tell a fake Banksy instantly?
I’d like to think so, yes.
Q: Will there ever be another artist quite like Banksy?
No.
Q: Most difficult Banksy to value?
Any unique work. That’s very difficult.
Q: Auction or private sale?
Private sale.
Q: Which Banksy would you wear on a T-shirt?
Girl With Balloon.
Q: Which Banksy would make the best album cover?
Q: Which Banksy would be a terrible roommate?
Queen Victoria.
Q: Which Banksy has the biggest ego?
Q: Which Banksy makes you smile every day?
Girl With Balloon.
Q: Biggest Banksy myth?
He doesn’t make any money from the secondary market.
Q: What’s the first giveaway of a fake Banksy?
Someone saying “what it is, right...”
Q: What do people not get about the Banksy market?
That it’s still a very young market.
Q: Most Banksy Banksy?
Q: Least Banksy Banksy?
Probably Kate Moss.
Q: Best Banksy story you’ve ever heard?
No comment.
Q: Napalm or Love Rat?
Q: Nola or No Ball Games?
Nola.
Q: Who is Banksy?
Dave Jones.
