The Metropolis

Dodgy derivative cripples Irish Banksy

Mike Pollitt | Wednesday 6 July, 2011 12:09

A couple of new stencils near Hackney Downs have caused a stir. The Hackney Gazette hoped they were Banksy’s, but Hooked blog makes a convincing case for them being the work of an Irish artist called Solus.

I strolled past the sitting boy smoking a cigar this morning on the way to work. Judged in isolation it’s a nice addition and very well framed by Andre St (cobbles, railway arches, mechanics in oily overalls etc.) But the imagery is so derivative that there’s no power in it any more. It’s the street art equivalent of a landscape print on your mum’s living room wall. The neighbours will like it, but it’s essentially meaningless.

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