Urban Art Association

Without commenting on the quality of the work they are actually doing (or whether they are staffed appropriately, or whether they have hidden agendas or conflicts of interest) I think most people underestimate the challenge and amount of effort required to verify a piece of art. Somewhat paradoxically, the simpler the piece (i.e. a 3 color screen print made by drunk hacks in some rundown London print shop in 2008) the harder to verify.

Do they do a good job? Apparently not.

Is their job easy? Definitely not.

I submitted an authentication request in September for one of my prints - received an email last week asking for a couple more close up pics in natural daylight of the signature and edition number so just sent them through… I’m in no rush so if I have to wait a year… meh…

Recently applied for a COA for a piece only to find out that at some point in its life between 2007 and 2020 it had already been issued with a COA. Not concerned over the authenticity of the print and presumably many COA's were misplaced or lost back when values weren't as high as they are now.

Have had some contact with Pest Control who are looking into it but has anyone else had to go through a similar situation? Do you think they'll try and reach out to the last known holder etc? Appreciate the workings of PC behind the doors are fairly unknown but would be interested to hear if anyone has gone through a similar process and what the outcome was.

That's a very good point. I even used to own a duplicate number print and this didn't even cross my mind!

Most likely misplaced the original COA as such now needs a replacement 

Dont be a clown all your days

This is a little outside the box and may get a little extra attention in-house , in that it's 2007. Any DNs I have seen have been earlier prints(up to 2005) although i think i remember a BLK/white trolleys AP/DN. By this stage they had upped their QC to be more meticulous, having made a number of changes to prevent future issues with editioning and duplicate prints. Certainly there will be far fewer DNs from 2006 onwards. It would be interesting to hear if any other members have, or have heard of any DNs from 2007 onwards?  Likely just human error, one they missed.
Reaching out to previous owners will be tricky with most prints this age as the majority have changed hands several times as prices have increased.

Well there’s Brandler signing his resignation as a dealer I guess 🥸

In other news I’ve finally had an answer about the Cushions. Not great news for all the Cushions fans out there. I’d like to mention that they definitely have not sent me a response before. I’ve always checked my Junk folder for these reasons. 

“Hi Billy,

Thank you for your email. You were contacted in January 2022 with the following information;


Many thanks for your authentication application.

Only the signed, numbered artworks from GDP are eligible for certificates.

Your piece doesn’t fit into that category.

We hope you’re still happy with your merchandise.”

FYI I’m still very happy with my purchase. 

I was shown this article yesterday and appears to be a problem with a Monkey Queen image. Wasn’t there a fair few back door prints from this run?

very much doubt the story contains enough to warrant comment.

pc will continue in it's current form - for the forseeable - regardless of what i think.

people need to see it for what it is - it's an org trying to help people , whilst that might be interpreted as obstructive it does not control all of those who have bought works in the past whom it may have to depend on for... updates in the event of a owner change etc.

perhaps the above as a concept is ... impossible for many to grasp. hey ... it could be a whole lot worse.

if they for example simply shut up shop - have a think about that... what could / would be the impact.

.. ok - had a think ... ? now put the kettle on and chill out. ffs

..

Seems like a real game of cat and mouse for Katz and Howse.

 Thank you, goodnight.

Unfortunately its only the tip of the iceberg for PC. The floodgates are starting to open.
They took a clever concept that had worked well and royally messed it up. Not sure there's any fixing it now.
The market will carry on and be better off in the long run than it has been in recent times, PC will do well to survive the next couple years under current directorship.
Only chance of fixing PC is dramatic changes in staff regarding decision making and efficiency and making the public aware of the changes. This lot don't cut it at the level needed.
PC were created to safeguard the artist and his collectors/market, they don't.
Hard job on them though, being chucked in with very little experience in the actual market, it was a disaster in the making from the get go.
They've been focused on making their/the artists life easier, with little regard for the collectors/artists market.
I'm glad the artist has the protective cloak of PC . All blame will fall on them and give him a chance to rethink. Rebrand PC under capable staff or close it up. Focus on streetworks/good publicity and he can sell a handful of originals out of sight to collectors to top the float up for artist events/for charity.
Too much negativity in recent years, mostly created by PCs incompetence and poor decision making, largely avoidable.
Long term, he's a generational artist, things will right themselves in time.
The quicker the PC situation is handled by the artist the better for all in the long run, including him. Whether that's PC closing up or capable staff being put in the right positions.
It can't be good for his creative/general head space.
I'm expecting a lot of negative press revolving around PC until the situations resolved. The best thing collectors can do, if they can afford to, is sit tight and wait it out. Ignore the unfolding drama of PC. PC aren't Banksy, thankfully.
The only thing the market would loose at this point, is an incompetent due diligence company.

Hire some professionals and pay them properly?!
Galleries and big auction houses are very good at keeping client information “secret”, PC should be able to do the same.