I’m quite pleased about that. There’s always the risk that someone will play it safe with an older, classic  piece by a more established name and then the ‘gift with value’ card will have  been seen to be played. (a bit like Mr Brown’s very politically correct Victorian timbers from an anti-slavery ship, pen holder). But dealing the modern art card is definitely more peppy, risky and shows a good deal of faith in the value of modern artists. Obama gave Cameron a signed colour lithograph by American artist Ed Ruscha, one of leaders of the Pop art movement. The piece, “Column With Speed Lines,” was selected for the red, white and blue colors matching both countries’ flags. Hmmm, symbolism laid on with a trowel.

The Pop Art link with Ruscha is an astute  choice – he’s not one of the massive names of the Pop Art movement. However, he has has been around from the start, having exhibited with the likes of Warhol, Lichtenstein, etc in the historically important and ground-breaking “New Painting of Common Objects,”exhibition first acknowledged as the beginnings of the Pop Art movement in the US.

Twenty First Century City-Eine (Courtesy of the British Embassy)

On the other hand, Cameron’s gift shows a surprising savvyness that is very up to the moment. His choice, well his wife’s,  is a piece by Graffiti artist Ben Eine valued at less than the Ruscha but worth a hell of a lot more in street cred. A conservative leader promoting a known graffiti artist!? Who has a criminal record!? Eine admits to being a hardcore part of that ‘hooded tracksuit gang thing’. And having been arrested 15 or 20 times, with a close escape from prison.

Nevertheless, the piece, although reflective of Eine’s obsession for lettering, doesn’t have the satirical or political edge that other graffiti (or as Eine himself and other similar artists are beginning to be called – Street Artists) have.  So it wasn’t a dangerous choice in that sense. It’s certainly a clever title and theme. It reminds me of Jasper Johns – but not as sloppy!

This example, ‘Early Man Goes To Market’  appeared in The British Museum in 2005 and wasn’t noticed until Banksy announced it on his site. All credit to the Museum staff in recognising man’s base need for making marks andhoping the largest possible audience will see them. It is now in their permanent collection.

I’m sure this drew a wry smile from the artist him self.

I wonder if the recent reversal of fortunes of Banksy’s work from Art Republic did the same. Probably did. Two limited edition framed prints worth £16000 were stolen by a man and woman from the shop in central London. And this is not the first time this has happened from the same company. Apparently, 10 prints were stolen from  the same company, only in Brighton. Tut, tut, Art Republic – very clumsy.

The police, who of course adore Banksy’s work, are investigating  and are hard on the heals of the culprits, issuing these telling images of the couple they wish to question.

This is all so gloriously ironic.


And it goes on. Here are some other ludicrous incantations ….

• London Banksy poster ‘removed after halo added’ – People spending time in London hotels may have noticed a Banksy poster at London Bridge station recently, but the artwork has now been taken down after it was.
• Free: Banksy Poster | FADWEBSITE – Banksy releases new poster entitled ‘Forgive Us Our Trespassing’ Photo: LILY PAD PR Almost a decade since his last Don’t Panic collaboration during which time he has risen from street artist to cause célèbre, Banksy is back with a new …
• Banksy poster “re-worked” on underground – Never defeated by the institution eh? The Banksy artwork, ‘Forgive Us Our Trespassing’ was transformed into a poster for London underground, but they denied the addition of a halo round the little boy’s head for fear of “inspiring” …