Banksy has reignited his homage to fellow British artist Robbo, which was initiated back in 2009. With Robbo’s health deteriorating, Banksy has created a piece of work that supports the streets artists original aesthetic while applying his critique with a candle lit to resemble a ‘no fire’ emblem.

Thanks to FRESHNGOOD for the heads up/

Banksy: Robbo Inc Returns is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Juxtapoz have compiled interesting interview with well know competitor of Banksy, Robbo having re-interpreted a number of his works in recent times. Discussion of course surrounds many facets of Banksy, what he has done since moving on from street art, while his plans for the future and his strategy to continue his encounter with Banksy makes for some good reading.

Read the interview over at Juxtapoz now.

Robbo On Banksy, Graffiti and More is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

I would say its pretty clear now, that either Banksy and his crew are keen social network watchers, or its not his crew involved nor Robbo’s, but one way or another the saga continues with the modification of a number of stencils in Camden, London. What is most interesting about this continuing series of feuds, is the part Social Networking and the internet can now play in the real world, whether a good thing or bad, whether intentional or not, the impact is big. The story goes…Robbo’s crew took offence to the above facebook image, stemming a response seen below.

Images: AM

Banksy Vs’ Robbo… Continues is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

The saga of Banksy vs. Robbo has taken another twist, having recently seen the latter take to some of Banksy’s iconic pieces of work and modify them. This time we see a reverse, following much being made of Robbo’s work it would always create speculation of what would come of the feud. Not sure if this is the artists attempt to redeem himself and get his own back but still another twist in the story.

Info from Graffoto via Arrested Motion.

Banksy vs. Robbo Continues is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Thanks to Arrested Motion for the info.

Banksy vs. Robbo Continues is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Banksy has been big news in the UK for some time with him regularly making headlines in the national newspapers, however his exploits are now picking up international attention as one of the world’s most respected titles, The Wall Street Journal, has published an article on his highly publicised spat with grafitti artist Robbo.

As the person who jump started the whole street art thing and spawned a host of lamer than lame imitators Banksy comes in for a lot of criticism (and rightly so on some occasions) but you cant argue against the attention he has brought to the scene, elevating it above pure novelty factor and giving numerous artists the chance to exhibit in galleries they wouldn’t even been allowed to take a look round before.  This article is a testament to that.

I still think this whole Banksy vs. Robbo affair is yet another Banksy hoax though….

Check out the full article below.

A GAME OF TAG BREAKS OUT BETWEEN LONDON’S GRAFFITI ELITE
Slight Brings Robbo Out of Retirement; Cobbler Won’t Let Rival Tread on Him
By Gabrielle Steinhauser | Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2010

LONDON—In the predawn hours of Christmas morning, a 40-year-old shoe repairman who goes by the name Robbo squeezed his 6-foot-8-inch frame into a wet suit, tossed some spray cans into a plastic bag, and crossed Regent’s Canal on a red-and-blue air mattress.

Robbo, one of the lost pioneers of London’s 1980s graffiti scene, was emerging from a long retirement. He had a mission: to settle a score with the world-famous street artist Banksy, who, Robbo believes, had attacked his legacy.

The battle centers on a wall under a bridge on the canal in London’s Camden district. In the fall of 1985—just 15 years old but already a major player in London’s graffiti scene—Robbo announced his presence on that wall with eight tall block letters: ROBBO INC.

The work, written in orange, red and black on a yellow background, had been in good shape for nearly 25 years and was considered a local icon, surviving long after Robbo himself vanished from the scene 16 years ago.

But recently, Robbo’s work was dramatically altered by an unlikely rival: Banksy, the stealthy Bristol-born artist who has made a lucrative art of graffiti. The work of Banksy—who, like Robbo, doesn’t disclose his name—sells for big money and is widely merchandised. His first film, “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January and is due out in U.K. theaters this month.

In early December, Banksy did a series of four pieces along the Regent’s Canal’s walls. Inexplicably, one of them incorporated Robbo’s piece into Banksy’s own work, painting over half the Robbo original in the process. The resulting work, in Banksy’s typical stencil technique, shows a black-and-white workman applying colorful wallpaper that is, in essence, the remnants of Robbo’s piece.

Banksy Vs. Robbo In The Wall Street Journal is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Well it now seems that Robbo and his crew weren’t happy to let the spat end there and have recently adapted another Banksy piece, taking a swipe at the UK’s most feted street artist.

More Robbo retaliation here.

I find it strange that people are so outraged be either of these artists moves.  Graffiti by its very nature is transient, and Banksy’s work actually brought more acclaim and attention to the forgotten Robbo piece, however, Robbo’s response is creative and humorous and brings an excitement back to the UK graff scene that has been missing for several years now.

Word from the Robbo camp is that “no Banksy is safe”, so expect to see more street critique’s of the stencil artists work soon.

Source: AM

Banksy Vs. Robbo Continues is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

The latest four new works put up in London by Banksy have caused a small controversy in the graffiti community. The well thought out piece, involving a man wallpapering up a wall of graffiti, just so happens to have been painted over 25 year old piece by London graffiti writer Robbo. With all the hype from these works you can imagine the surprise Robbo got when he saw his work being played with. Being not very happy about this, Robbo took to the work to defend his name. But instead of just doing a messy throw-up over Banksy’s piece, Robbo put some thought into his response to the anonymous artist.

See below for Robbo’s retaliation.

Images Vandalog

Banksy Vs’ Robbo is a post from: SLAMXHYPE