Banksy theft, by GD303uk on Dec 4, 2006 14:16:20 GMT 1,
Echo News


Forget Klimt, art thieves eye up Slater Street door

Nov 30 2006

By Catherine Jones Culture Reporter, Liverpool Echo


Jane Mills and Banksy's door painting inside the derelict building, called Liverpool Love Rat - Picture: EDDIE BARFORD

ART thieves disguised as workmen tried to steal the door from a derelict Liverpool building - because it was decorated by graffiti artist Banksy.

The theft comes as Liverpool prepares to celebrate 08 and the arrival of the first UK exhibition by celebrated Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.

The stolen artwork, called Liverpool Love Rat, has been on the door in Slater Street for two years.

But Banksy - who includes Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Christina Aguilera among his fans - saw one work sold for over £60,000 last month by auction house Bonhams.( always makes me laugh that, as if them liking his work influences what i think of it, funny lol)


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Now the owners of the building have revealed how they foiled a plan to snatch the door.

Jane Mills, director of Jacaranda Developments, said: "Early on a Sunday morning these guys turned up, looking like builders and with aboard to put in its place.

"They started trying to get the door off, but it's steel so it wasn't that easy.

"One of our cleaners spotted them and asked what they were doing - they gave her some flip-pant answer so she said she was going to check with us, and they took off.

"The door is now under lock and key while we decide what to do with it."
The door was decorated as part of the 2004 Liverpool Biennial. Ms Mills said: "We haven't had a problem before. Over the years people have taken photos of it, but recently there have been a lot more as Banksy has become more famous."

Bristol-based Banksy has been responsible for high-profile pranks including hanging his own works in the Tate Britain and British Museum.

His set of Kate Moss paintings in the style of Andy Warhol recently sold at Sotheby's for £50,400, and agreen Mona Lisa went for £57,600.

Elli Varnavides, from Sotheby's contemporary art department, said: "Banksy's stopped producing his canvasses for a while and people are possibly concerned the supply will run out."

Who is Banksy, then?

* BANKSY is a world renowned, Bristol-based graffiti artist whose artwork is often political and/or humorous in nature., ( he likes winding people up)

Echo News

Forget Klimt, art thieves eye up Slater Street door


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The door was decorated as part of the 2004 Liverpool Biennial. Ms Mills said: "We haven't had a problem before. Over the years people have taken photos of it, but recently there have been a lot more as Banksy has become more famous."

Bristol-based Banksy has been responsible for high-profile pranks including hanging his own works in the Tate Britain and British Museum.

His set of Kate Moss paintings in the style of Andy Warhol recently sold at Sotheby's for £50,400, and agreen Mona Lisa went for £57,600.

Elli Varnavides, from Sotheby's contemporary art department, said: "Banksy's stopped producing his canvasses for a while and people are possibly concerned the supply will run out."

Who is Banksy, then?

* BANKSY is a world renowned, Bristol-based graffiti artist whose artwork is often political and/or humorous in nature.


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* Born in 1974, his street art, which combines graffiti with a distinctive stencilling technique, has appeared throughout London and in cities around the world.

* He was responsible for the cover art of Blur's 2003 album Think Tank.

* At London zoo, he climbed into the penguin enclosure and painted "We're bored of fish" in two metre high letters

thought i would add what was said as link didnt seem to work.
even added the press what is Banksy, funny.
i will add pic if the link doesnt work for you.