Banksy Far Too Principled to Charge More Than $35.99 for Chicago Art Exhibition
By Tommy Spears
Photo by Eli Solomon
CHICAGO, IL - Famously anonymous London-based street artist Banksy released a statement that he is too committed to his principles of anarchy and anti-capitalism to accept more than $35.99 for any tickets for exhibits of his art, unlike the upcoming Chicago experience bearing his name.
“The state of modern art is disgusting--people think good art is whatever costs a lot of money,” the statement reads. “But my art has always been available to the public, and I’m committed to keeping my works totally free. Or at most charging $35.99 for tickets, with $25.99 tickets for students and seniors.”
Despite the artist’s long reputation for railing against the commercialization of art, organizers of Banksy’s Chicago exhibition were reportedly shocked to read the statement.
“I respect Banksy’s objections to our $55 ticket price,” said Felix Catherines, one of the exhibit’s organizers. “But he needs to understand, we didn’t all get into art to challenge societal norms. I was drawn to the art world after my mother took me to a Gauguin exhibit at the Art Institute. Standing in the presence of all that beauty, I saw adults moved...to buy $80 prints from the museum gift shop. I knew this was my calling.”
“Artists like this are hot-headed,” said Helen Ness, the gallery’s owner. “When I was younger, I would have demanded a radical, almost social answer, like lowering ticket prices to $40. But $35.99? We can’t just give this art away on the street [as Banksy typically does]. He’ll see reason, one way or another.”
At press time, a new mural had appeared on the gallery’s outside wall, depicting a large check with the amount left blank. The check is made out to “Chicago Public Schools Art Departments,” and the memo line reads “We stole Banksy’s art, here’s the blood money.”
When reached for a comment, Ms. Ness said “I’m not surprised he would react in such a dramatic way. I’m surprised that he got our routing number correct.”