Urban Art Association

I would take it as is, not restore it just chuck it in a frame and enjoy it as is...... Image needs to be displayed instead of being folded in a book

Then again, better to be folded in a book, than crisp and clean in a folder.....


Edit : Just now read Castle's reply.... Sell it to Andy instead, he wil make good use of it!

POW still have that mound of over prints?

I think Andy has a great idea at Castle Gallery...leave it as it is ! let him borrow it to stick it on the wall as how things have progressed and perceptions changed...i love that idea...! it will contrast well with his gallery works.

do not restore it !! nor sell it IMO

If she has bad memories of it, a charity auction could work

I'd leave it as it is and apply for a COA.

I'm still waiting for PC since January with original receipt ............ so good luck with your couple of months theory

I'm not a big fan of Love Rat, having never understood the point of the antenna — as mentioned here two years ago (a failure on my part to initiate a proper discussion about the image).

Regarding this particular print, the backstory is entertaining. But it's sad as well. What it emphasises is a division between:

(i) those who hold the practice of artmaking in high esteem; and
(ii) those who are largely indifferent to art, at least until it becomes expensive.

In an old interview, a perceptive Judith Supine commented, "Once artwork has financial value, people respect it, and this often skews their perception of its aesthetic value."

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Scenario to illustrate my point about a chasm:

1. Today, you're gifted a limited edition work on paper.

2. The printmaking method is immaterial; it could be a lowly giclée or offset lithograph.

3. For the sake of argument, the print is by a complete unknown (not by an artist who, in 2004 or 2005, was already notorious among those taking any active interest in street art, contemporary art or design).

4. You're not sure, but you imagine this was purchased for around £20 (i.e. something cheap and cheerful, as opposed to the £74.99 + postage that an unsigned Love Rat cost at source).

5. Let's also say you feel this gift is so-so; it's okay to hang, but you aren't enamoured with it.


Assuming all the above, how many forum members would still even consider folding the print twice in half and storing it in a book?

My argument is that the ones who would are alien — as alien to me as people who behave rudely to service industry staff.

Im not sure how others view love rat but to me i read it love rat, someone who cheats, the irony of the rat painting a heart, its surprising how popular it is with couples. met perhaps the aerial is to do with receiving signals/body language etc that somethings not right in the relationship/with the partner. Would be interesting to hear the owners reason for folding it twice and storing in a book, it is an odd choice.

Not sure if it's too odd. The guy who bought it probably just liked the image, had no interest in art in general I guess, maybe no other artwork in his possession, so no folios etc, and folding it in a book seemed the convenient/sensible choice so as not to lose it...twice as he probably didn't have a large enough book to keep it flat whole/fold once

Never does any harm to slip a fiver and / some luncheon vouchers in with the pachage if you send one.

'pachage'?, wtf is that???

Iv had Pest control take 48 hours to authentcated a print and 2 weeks to send COA, and then waited over a year for change of owner when print had rock solid province...

Ive only ever bought a print without COA once but that was from Laz's old gallery in Soho and COA arrived promptly. I've submitted numerous change of ownership requests and they have ranged from less than a week to near on a year.

I'm off to a car boot in a wealthy home counties area to see if I have a similar find tomorrow.