Christopher Walken destroys Banksy painting on BBC comedy show
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Saturday, November 2, 2024


Christopher Walken destroys Banksy painting on BBC comedy show
A still from the BBC program “The Outlaws,” showing Christopher Walken painting over a work by the street artist Banksy. Photo: Big Talk/Four Eyes.

by Daniel Victor



NEW YORK, NY.- With a few swipes of a paint roller, actor Christopher Walken wiped away a real Banksy painting from the side of a building in England on an episode of BBC’s “The Outlaws” that aired Wednesday night.

Although Banksy’s work has fetched millions of dollars at auction, Walken unceremoniously painted over the artwork on the comedy-drama series, which is set in Banksy’s hometown, Bristol.

A spokesperson from Big Talk Productions, the show’s production company, confirmed that the artwork was “an original Banksy” and that Walken painted over it during filming, “ultimately destroying it.”

The production company offered no more details, and a representative for Banksy did not respond to a request for comment.

Banksy, a street artist and one of the world’s most expensive artists, has rigidly maintained his anonymity. He has often manipulated the news media with stunts, notably in 2018 when a painting self-destructed moments after it was sold for $1.4 million at auction. That painting, retitled “Love Is in the Bin,” was recently resold by Sotheby’s in London for $25.4 million, a record for the artist.

In the BBC show, directed by and starring comedian Stephen Merchant, Walken’s character, Frank, is ordered to perform community service. He and several other characters don high-visibility vests as they clean up graffiti from a wall on the side of a building in Bristol.

Walken’s character, fulfilling his duties, knocks over a board leaning against the wall, revealing a painted black-and-white rat and two canisters, recognizable in Banksy’s style even if the word “BANKSY” weren’t spray-painted on the wall in orange.

“Look at this rat I found,” he says to his supervisor, played by Jessica Gunning, who, thoroughly uninterested, spends her supervision reading with her back turned to the wall.

After he explains it was a graffiti rat, not a real one, she responds: “Council said paint over any graffiti, so crack on.”

“It’s awfully good,” he protests.

“Less debating, more painting,” she shoots back.

Walken shrugs, and then the camera zooms tightly on the artwork as he covers it entirely with six strokes.

The BBC did not immediately put a clip of the scene on YouTube, but it made the episode available to watch on its iPlayer service for those in Britain.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.










Today's News

November 13, 2021

Lucy Lacoste Gallery celebrates Suzuki Goro's 80th anniversary with exhibition

Getty Museum acquires Gustave Caillebotte's iconic Young Man at His Window

Van Gogh, Caillebotte set records at NY Impressionist sale

Christopher Walken destroys Banksy painting on BBC comedy show

Hindman achieves highest sale total in its history for a various owner Books & Manuscript auction

Exhibition presents highly energized circle, square, and diamond shaped paintings by Gary Lang

Excellent results for early American furniture, silver, flags, and more at Freeman's

Columbus Museum of Art exhibition uncovers Vincent van Gogh's creative process

Exhibition presents ten new paintings and nine new works on paper by Brice Marden

World record price for Luigi Querena

Two exceptional private collections lead Bonhams Modern British and Irish Art sale

The Winter Show announces exhibitors for 2022 fair returning in-person to Park Avenue Armory

Yale University Art Gallery and Yale Center for British Art co-acquire painting by Kehinde Wiley

Egyptian artist Ahmed Morsi opens first solo show at Salon 94

Young Concert Artists is back, with a superb pianist

Zadie Smith's first play brings Chaucer to her beloved northwest London

Art on the Underground presents 5 more minutes, a new commission by Joy Labinjo at Brixton Underground station

1925 Bentley 3 Litre Dual Cowl Tourer for sale with H&H Classics

Koller Auctions to offer a wide range of attractive modern & contemporary works

'Ugly history': Battle to restore iconic Japan brothel building

Menil Drawing Institute presents Marcia Kure Wall Drawing

Juilliard stages an Orpheus rarity from opera's early days

In 'Nollywood Dreams,' a star and an industry are born

'Like queens': Divisive legacy of Senegal's women traders

How To Choose The Right Card Game For You At A Casino

Best Blog Writing Services

11 DIY Arts & Crafts Idea for Home Decoration in a Budget

How to Look Fabulous in Crossover Leggings!

The best fashion finds for your body on the go!

Tips for Shopping for Plus Size leggings and Joggers

Monumental Achiever, Sylvia Rossouw, has made an Incredible Mark in Fine Art and Architecture, Locally and Abroad

What Is CBN And What Are Its Effects

Choosing the Best Tabletop Material for Your Standing Desk

The Importance of Hiring an Auto Accident Lawyer

Possibility for Americans to Take Out Instant Loans for Bad Credit




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful