A Banksy-backed graffiti exhibition in Piccadilly Circus closed after graffiti saying ‘f*** the King’ appeared. The show raised £500,000 for the Big Issue, highlighted by an interview between Banksy and Tox, a prominent graffiti artist. Tox has a past conviction for extensive graffiti work in London.
A Banksy-supported graffiti exhibition at Piccadilly Circus has closed due to vandalism. The closure followed the appearance of graffiti reading “f* the King” on the building and nearby Crown Estate properties.
The exhibition, which featured guest artist 10Foot, coincided with the Big Issue magazine’s special edition that raised about £500,000, marking record sales. This edition included an interview where Banksy spoke with Tox, another featured artist known for his extensive time in prison for graffiti.
Tox, whose real name is Daniel Halpin, was imprisoned in 2011 after a notable spree of graffiti across London.
The abrupt end of the Banksy-backed exhibition highlights the tensions between artistic expression and property regulations. Despite its closure, the collaboration generated considerable financial support for the Big Issue and featured significant artists, emphasising the impact of street art in contemporary society.
Original Source: www.thetimes.com