Banksy Opens A Dystopian Homeware Store No One Can Get Into, Following A Trademark Dispute

Banksy just unveiled his latest work, however, the artist said that the motivation behind the project was “possibly the least poetic reason to ever make some art.” A trademark dispute. The famous street artist had been forced into taking the unusual step of opening his own homeware shop in London following a legal dispute with a greeting card company.

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The shop, named Gross Domestic Product, appeared in the Croydon neighborhood, on Church Street. The temporary installation will be on view for two weeks, featuring multiple window displays. And even though it will be closed for passers-by, some of the items will be sold on GDP's associated online store including welcome mats (which Banksy hired refugees in Greek detainment camps to stitch, giving them back all the proceeds). Revenue generated by the doll sets will also support the purchase of a replacement boat for activist Pia Klemp. Klemp's own boat was confiscated by the Italian government after she was accused of aiding illegal immigration when saving people from drowning in the Mediterranean.

Tying Gross Domestic Product to his larger body of work, Banksy incorporated motifs his fans should already be familiar with. The fireplace and stenciled jacquard wallpaper, for example, are from his Walled Off Hotel, and the iconic stab-proof Union Jack vest is what he created for Stormzy to wear at the Glastonbury Festival.

“A greeting card company is contesting the trademark I hold to my art,” the artist said in a statement. “And attempting to take custody of my name so they can sell their fake Banksy merchandise legally.”

The anonymous celebrity of the art world thought the card company was “banking on the idea” he would not show up in court to defend himself.

Mark Stephens, an arts lawyer and founder of the Design and Artists Copyright Society, is the one who's giving Banksy legal advice in this tricky situation. “Banksy is in a difficult position,” he said. “Because he doesn’t produce his own range of shoddy merchandise and the law is quite clear – if the trademark holder is not using the mark, then it can be transferred to someone who will.”

“Sometimes you go to work and it’s hard to know what to paint, but for the past few months I’ve been making stuff for the sole purpose of fulfilling trademark categories under EU law,” the artist added, admitting the subject matter is “not a very sexy muse”.