Are 'city types' not allowed to like street art?

They are, on the proviso of syndicate membership only tho'....when we speak of city types they must work in 'taaaaannnn' and commute no longer than 35 minutes from the leafy suburbs.

I was not referring solely to Banksy.

I don't think its solely down to appreciation of Street art, but I do think that plays as much as a role as the suggestion that people are buying solely for investment.

However neither of these can be proven they are just opinions.

Street Art is for the public, for everyone, including "city types". However, it should be noted that it is generally produced in opposition to the prevailing culture of Neoliberalism that "city types" value. They're also generally associated with crass materialism and support a reduction in state support for the less fortunate in society, (hence the current "austerity" programs etc etc). Urban Art (and this forum) started out with a similar "socialist" philosophy to Street Art, the production and distribution of free (Street) and affordable (Urban) work for those generally locked out of the arts by the privileged few, i.e "city types". It's initial raison d'etre was to introduce art back into the lives of the general public, a "free entry" outdoor museum if you like. There was a reason Banksy prints initially cost 34.99 and it wasn't to line the pockets of "city types" or to pander to their values.

Certain aspects of Urban Art succumbed to the greed we more associate with the "Art Market" and "City Types" in around 2008 when it started to become increasingly valuable. Draw your own conclusions there.
Anti-Consumerist "Urban Art" images can now be found framed on the walls of the wealthy and privileged the world over, whilst murals are commissioned by property speculators and developers in their ongoing attempt to profit from the displacement of lower class residents and communities. One set hijack Urban art, the other Street Art. For profit.
So.. of course they can "like" it, they can even buy and trade it. But really... f**k em.
As someone once said. They can buy it, they'll never be it.

peace

I believe this to be a very blinkered argument.

So street art is for everyone except city types because they potentially have money?

That's not what was said.

i dont disagree that artists get hyped on here and the early people get that fun rush of being first and seeing something they bought for 200 go to 1000 or something. but, the exposure gained on here may actually be helping some artists get to that next level of gallery representation- getting a show -etc. and that overall is pretty cool. this breaks the age old paradigm of the gallery owners deciding what artists do or dont get any exposure. the web lets us all vote and decide on our own and that is what is pretty cool about the last 15 years. if banksy had started pre internet.... hmmm.. not sure.. not sure if he would have gotten very much farther than a few local galleries peddling his prints. if a newby ends up with a cool dran for their house i am not going to lose sleep over whether the person paid 200, 400, 800 .. as long as they are happy .. the regret comes in when they go to sell... ahhhh.. i paiiiid tooooo muuuucccchhhhhh.again, sorry, just rambling.. strangely more fun than working.

i was also just thinking .. ha ha .. i know right !? well anyway, this herd mentality has also worked against some artists.. just try to sell a Bambi piece on this forum. not up for that? .how about a Mr Brainwash piece.. oh the howling.. that's too obvious.. how about the loathing Whatson has received off and on over the last year. how about Nick Walker ?  NW had a lot of support on here 8+ years ago and now i think the crowd turned on him and my guess is it slowed down his whole career ( just a guess!?!? dont hate me if you disagree).  I do believe some of the crowd here have pushed artists away and for whatever reason almost actively pushed people away from buying artists new output.  i never understand why..  if you dont like something fine.. but dont endlessly bludgeon people who do like it.    I know for a fact one of the artists above feels this way because he told me this personally at a show when i talked with him.   He was very sad he never commented on the forum any longer because the over the top criticism and abuse he took from forum.. which had previously been a place he frequented and respected..  So maybe the pendulum swings back and forth on here hot and cold.. 

Sounds like Shitownhero justifying their existence......