[Deleted]

Went to see the new laz building. Some great pieces. way over priced though, think laz want Bonhams prices! £40,000 for the white on balck AM. Amazing but 40k without VAT is a bit too much. Looks like i am officially priced out of the market.

[thinkbank]

me too. street art for bankers

laz has forgotten the people that got him there.

[Deleted]

i cant help thinking the same thing.... I am sure one day it might come back to haunt them, but will they really care with all that cash. Amazing just for the look though, AM has really done the business, there was a fair amount of Faile stuff there too, but all 30,000 or above.

[victorwilliams]

get some pictures up people.

[They call me Stephen]

never bite the hand that feeds

[jam]

Prices mentioned for the Bast, Harrington, Francis, and most other things seemed right in line with (if not slightly lower than) average market. I don't see what the issue is!

[weeble]

May 23, 2008 14:24:11 GMT 1 thinkbank said:

street art for bankers

bang on mate. shame for most buyers, including myself need i add. but at the same time great for the artists, i'm glad that some of these artists to have finally found a recognition for their passion.

[alsbabar]

I didnt see many bankers there last night - and no one who was there was obligated to buy anything, it was free to get in. Lots of red dots, it was a great show. so why knock something you were invited to. Also why be anonymous on here, did any of you guys actually tell Laz what you are saying here? I doubt you did/would, because you love going to these events, for the free beer and the great art.

As Theycallmestephen quotes "dont bite the hand that feeds you", and we have had a feast of it till recently.

[Deleted]

i went today so was not at the old invite shindig, but if you would like to know i did mention the price's, but got a response i expected. all the same some great items, the new naughty micallef was nice, my gf wouldnt like it though! Anyone purchase>?

[Deleted]

but the flyer was so good i thought i'll frame that me thinks. Tis the only way i will get the image, love it.

[alsbabar]

londonliam how much was the Kelsey Brookes canvas, I forgot to ask

[Deleted]

Monster Morals was £4,000 very micallef looking me thought, but defo had the Kelsey colours. very nice, tis one i did give serious thought.

[bored with screen names]

Can someone post a pic of the new Micallef?!?!

Can't believe I haven't seen it yet anywhere!

[Deleted]

it was on the laz website for a few days, the new white on black face. dunno if it is still there.

[solar77]

Was the Ian Francis canvas really 15K GPB? That seems very, very high compared to what I paid for mine in December.

[Matt-lock]

May 23, 2008 18:50:06 GMT 1 londonliam08 said:

but the flyer was so good i thought i'll frame that me thinks. Tis the only way i will get the image, love it.

I had the same idea...will definitely be framing my flier

[thinkbank]

May 23, 2008 18:37:19 GMT 1 @alsbabar said:

I didnt see many bankers there last night - and no one who was there was obligated to buy anything, it was free to get in. Lots of red dots, it was a great show. so why knock something you were invited to. Also why be anonymous on here, did any of you guys actually tell Laz what you are saying here? I doubt you did/would, because you love going to these events, for the free beer and the great art.

As Theycallmestephen quotes "dont bite the hand that feeds you", and we have had a feast of it till recently.

so Alsyeboobar, did you personally ask everyone there what they did for a living?

Lets be honest a free drink is about all you will get out of Steve these days!

The point I suppose I am trying to make is, is that for a gallery that sells itself on the reputation that it it operates outside of the norm, representing the underground, theyre prices and business methods are no different to a mainstream gallery.

Hell Steve now owns three spaces in prime central London locations, not bad business if you can get it.

Nothing personal against him, but this is turning into elitist art. The same Elite that his top earner mocks. If you think these prices make it art for the common man, then you are not the common man.

[thinkbank]

im not b**ching...just raising some valid points.

Micallef is a good example, fledgling career partly damaged by over promotion and the need to make a quick buck.

AM will be back, but his career didnt need the set back.

make the art affordable for all....thats my suggestion. if people then want to flip it, thats upto them.

when you have fashioned a whole career out of being anti this and anti that, its a bit rich (pardon the pun) to be charging inflated prices for artwork that in reality can only be afforded by the people you claim not to represent.

[waveydavey]

You can slate laz and undoubtedly hes got a lots of wonga now. But like all risk takers he deserves a slice of the pie. Also he with the help of the banksy tm he does raise the profile of alot of artists out there.

just my opinion

[fatherxmas]

^^^^^ agree with the above wavey

[thinkbank]

yes thats right, you hit the nail on the head

got to head off in my space buggy now...see ya.

[master]

"The point I suppose I am trying to make is, is that for a gallery that sells itself on the reputation that it it operates outside of the norm, representing the underground, theyre prices and business methods are no different to a mainstream gallery.

Hell Steve now owns three spaces in prime central London locations, not bad business if you can get it.

Nothing personal against him, but this is turning into elitist art. The same Elite that his top earner mocks."


Well said!!!!

[veralynn]

The whole scene has moved dramatically over the last 4 or so years - that's just the reality, and its not that expensive in real terms to have a bit of short term leasehold office.

I can't believe you morons actually buy this shit? Exactly who's shit was that reference to?

[Simococo]

I can't see what Laz is doing wrong. Its not as if he's some hard core street art Overlord who at birth was given the responsibility of keeping urban art affordable to the masses.

He's a gallerist. Making a living. Half his roster have never been anywhere near a street. (in the artistic sense, i expect most have walked down one)

Miranda Donovan, Anthony Micallef, Ian Francis and Candice Tripp are contemporary artists who paint very well and therefore if you want to buy them its going to cost a lot as lots of people really love their work.

If you want street then its probably wise to shop elsewhere, and its not as if we aren't spoilt for choice.

[iwouldfollow youanywhere]

well said simococo........

[dodge]

Still no piccies?

[matbat]

if it is street art for bankers then i cant see many bankers spending at this moment in time. Too tight down the city way.

[ABC]

At the end of the day art does not stay the same price for ever. Take Warhol prints, they sold for £125ish back in the day (may have been a lot for some but..) just say you bought one, could you afford to buy another now at market price??££millions.If you are a real collector then it's what you expect to a certain degree. There is only one reason why so many people moan about increasing prices........selling them on is harder. How many people actually,
How many on here really wanted a Banksy 4/5 years ago? not many I'd guess, maybe a handfull of older members, only now its seen as "thing thing to have" Harsh but true.

[artstylee]

UK Street Art isn't very 'Street" when it's all 10,000 - 250,000 to purchase a quality piece.

Something will come and Balance it out soon enough.
I'd prefer to purchase from a Great New Artists who I found than put up big dollar to get some "High End Designer Street Art" it defeats the idea of broke, earthy nature that Street Art Creations derived from. When I think "Street Art" I think Antiestablishment anti big business, but when street art becomes a big business you've got to ask yourself how "Real/True" is the Street Art that is being pushed through this Big Business.

Although I'd rather LAZ stay independent and distribute and keep the funds in the hands of the street artists than let the 2nd hand gallery middlemen make the dough. So it is what it is.

But LAZ POW BRP Banksy and all Street Artists should still do little things to keep it real with the True Street Art Fans who aren't Millionaires, Movie Stars, and CEO's etc.