Action Shots of Andrew King's Public Art Mural

Street art is a general term ranging from everything from illegal street pieces to public art murals.

We dig how the UK's Andrew King avoids any confusion in name, calling himself a Public Art Muralist.

Click the jump for some more fresh action shots of a new mural that Andrew Knight painted on Melrose

Banksy Unauthenticated Street Piece Sells for $1.1 Million - The Establishment Takes Over

The LA Times is reporting that Banksy's 'Slave Labour' street art piece just sold at auction for $1.1 million dollars.

This Slave Labour piece has never been authenticated by Banksy's Pest Control team.  What is strange about this situation in particular is that the FBI and the Scotland Yard got involved in this case.  The FBI even released statements saying that "there is no evidence of criminality in the removal of this illegally painted" artwork.

Previous Banksy street pieces have failed to bring in high prices at auction because of the failure to be authenticated after being removed from the original locations.  It seems this whole thing might be an attempt to skirt Pest Control and authenticate Banksy's art through FBI statements.

Some have suggested that the FBI became involved because it had been rumored online that Slave Labour had been 'stolen' from the walls, but the sellers of Slave Labour listed at auction are the owners of the building itself where the art was first painted.  That single ownership of the chunk of wall seems like a simple fact to ascertain, therefore the rumors of the piece being stolen do not seem to warrant an investigation by the Scotland Yard and FBI.  However, since Pest Control refuses to authenticate street pieces, it seems like the statements issued by the FBI are an attempt by the establishment to circumvent Pest Control and validate Banksy's Slave Labour piece.  After all, even if Pest Control will not say the piece is legitimate, the biggest law enforcement agencies in Great Britain and American are issuing a tacit endorsement of the piece.

The establishment has now officially taken over the street art world.  Or at least endorsed it.

Of course, to throw one more piece of the puzzle into the bucket, it has long been established that Banksy is very particular about where he places street piece, and Banksy has put up art on buildings and structures owned by people with whom he has a previous relationship.  So maybe this was the way it was supposed to all happen?

Santa Monica Sprint Jubilee Celebrates - BritWeek

Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica Place and Britweek will be hosting the 1st ever Santa Monica Spring Jubilee Celebration BritWeek next week.

As part of the celebrations, British living street legends Inkie and Eine will be painting live murals during the 2-day event, as will LA's own Mear One.

The fun for BritWeek goes down on May 4th and 5th.  Click the jump for the press release with full details, contact info, and schedule information.

Ben Slow Romances Los Angeles

Ben Slow romances Los Angeles with a new mural on Hollywood Blvd.

Dig the gorgeous lady, and the way the drips interact with the piece.

Click the jump for more pics of the artist from the UK in LA.

Ben Slow in Los Angeles

British street artist Ben Slow is visiting the City of Angels and is already hitting Hollywood hard.

M&F showed up just as Ben was getting started on this wall on Hollywood Blvd so we don't have pics of the finished piece yet.  Here are some action shots of Ben beginning to apply white the background, which he said he loved the way the thick white drips came down the wall.

Ben will be in town for another couple days, accompanied by his beautiful assistant Sabira.  It is awesome to have big names like Ben Slow coming to LA, and Ben says he has plans for another politically loaded mural while in town.  Look forward to Ben's art in Los Angeles.

Stay up!~

Book Release - New Street Art

M&F generally keeps its focus on LA, but when something cool happens in the world of street art, it is always good to give it a special shout out.

One of these cool things is happening right now with the pending release of a London based street art book called New Street Art.  With photos and content from Claud, otherwise known as Claudelondon on Flickr.  Claude is a prolific street art photographer with a focus on the local neighborhood, kind of like a London based M&F--and we don't hand that compliment out lightly.  Claude is one of the only photographers dutifully documenting the ever-growing street art movement, which is why it is important to support his book.

From what we understand, there have been some issues with the publisher of the book.  You can pre-order the book now on Amazon, and the more orders placed will help the book become a reality.  Buyers won't be charged until the book actually goes into print, which is the whole goal anyway.

Stay up and support New Street Art.

Banksy is a Game Changer

Banksy isn't just another street artist, he is the game changer.

Recently, one of Banksy's stencils got cut out off the wall in London, and then the next week the same piece appeared at an auction house in Miami.  The 'captured' Banksy piece is scheduled to go up for sale this weekend.

Aside from accusations that taking a piece from the street is wrong, it is fascinating how the larger conversation has local British politicians tripping over words to try and get the piece back.  In an article from the The Star entitled British Neighborhood Wants Its Banksy Back, a local lawmaker Lynne Featherstone is quoted as saying “(It’s) totally unethical that something so valued should be torn without warning from its community context.”  Haha.  Never mind the ethical context of something being placed in the community without warning in the first place.  Alas, it would be a different world for street artists if only all lawmakers felt this way . . . 

Indeed, Banksy is a game changer.  His street art work has politicians lamenting the removal of his work, not the illicit act of putting it up in the first place.  Can you imagine what the walls would look like if politicians fought to protect the art work instead of buffing over it and tearing it down?  Thanks to Banksy, that might just be the future of street art.

At least for Banksy pieces~

Banksy Tributes Graffiti Writer Nekst

Big name graffiti writer Nekst recently passed away.

M&F has covered how Los Angeles artists like MSK and Neckface have hit the streets with tribute's dedicated to Nekst.  And now Banksy has put up an animated gif on his website, showing a flame flickering on a yellow caution sign behind a spray can.

At the bottom it it says Nekst R.I.P.

Plastic Jesus Gets Up in London

Plastic Jesus has made a name on the streets of LA with clever art pieces aimed at contemporary events.   And Plastic Jesus just went international with a brand new piece in London.

This piece comes with a full background description and write up.  Check it out below, and click the jump for more pics and context

Nick Walker - Dunce Owl

The third piece from UK based stencil artist Nick Walker in Santa Monica

First EVER Confirmed Pics of Banksy Released!

The first confirmed pictures of Banksy have just been released . . .

Banksy's Art Comes to Life

Morley Has a Smash Art Show in London

SNAPSHOT - Morley: "I Don't Make Sense Without You" Solo Exhibition from One Small Instrument Pictures on Vimeo.

Banksy - Rockets Replacing Javelins

Banksy at the London Olympics

Morley Solo Art Show & Print Release!

New Banksy Print - Free!

A New Favorite Piece from Banksy

New Images On Banksy's Website!

Banksy Does Britain!

New Banksy in the UK!