Banksy's community art and Sincura Group's stealth sales

Graffiti art, Amsterdam.


Another example of Banksy's art for the community has gone missing in Tottenham, London. Apparently, Sincura Group - the same secretive company responsible for the misappropriation and sale of Banksy's "Slave Labour" art - has removed the mural from a building and plans to sell it!

What gives Sincura (or the person who hired Sincura) the right to remove public art from a building? And how can Sincura legally profit from Banksy's work? Sincura Group's latest money-making scheme doubles down on all sorts of issues: not only copyright and intellectual property, but ethics. It's disappointing that this company expects to profit from art Banksy created to enrich a community and its heritage - rather than Sincura's bank account. I really hope the council, local residents and Banksy himself challenge Sincura Group, its backers and their nefarious actions.

Update: The Sincura Group has released a defensive statement about "concerns about the safety" of Banksy's piece and the need for "sensitive restoration." The company says sale proceeds will go to charity. The statement failed to address Sincura's focus on profit at the expense of community art. Sincura also declined comment on copyright and intellectual property issues, which could affect their self-assumed right to sell the art.

Comments

[jeanie]

Sensitivity and restoration? Maybe. In a big blue moon. On another planet.