Robbo - The Art of the Prank

Banksy graffiti feud given a fresh coat
by Alexandra Topping
guardian.co.uk
23 April 2010

Banksy alters King Robbo ‘tag’ on Regent’s canal “¢ King Robbo retaliates but some cry publicity stunt

The history of art has been coloured by fierce and often glaringly public feuds between celebrated artists of the day. From Turner and Constable to Whistler and Ruskin, long-standing and public battles have kept generations of art lovers engrossed, outraged or simply amused.

But few artistic spats have been played out in such a public manner as the current standoff between Banksy, the internationally renowned bestselling graffiti artist, and King Robbo, one of the founding fathers of London’s graffiti scene.

The battle, which started on the banks of the Regent’s canal in the capital before Christmas, has stepped up a gear with the Bristolian apparently launching a new attack on King Robbo’s work. Continue reading “Banksy & Robbo Up the Anty. Perfect Timing.”

Banksy rival King Robbo has the final word in street art feud
by Fiona Hamilton
The Times
December 30, 2009

Not since the rivalry of Picasso and Matisse, which prompted the Spanish master”s friends to throw missiles at his French counterpart”s work, has there been such a clash between artistic camps.

This time, though, the hostility has arisen over the sweep of a spray can rather than the delicate dabbing of a paintbrush.

Banksy_1_665277a-425

Banksy”s painting of a mural over a rival”s work, which had been left untouched for more than 25 years, has provoked an online assault against one of the country”s most popular artists. Scathing remarks were posted on internet forums yesterday about Banksy”s image of a workman pasting over a wall of graffiti in Camden, North London. The painting covered up the work of Robbo, a renowned street artist who pioneered the capital”s graffiti tagging scene in the 1980s.

Banksy_3_665275a-425

It appears that Robbo returned to the site over Christmas to paint “King Robbo” in giant letters over Banksy”s work. It appears as though Banksy”s character is painting the phrase, thus paying homage to Robbo. Continue reading “Banksy v. Robbo — Tag! You’re It!”