Banksy Mural Going Up in Soho Right Now

A huge Banksy mural was spotted being put up in Soho at Wooster and Grand this morning. At first it appeared that it was possibly Banksy himself painting the huge rat, but the painter's American accent quickly revealed that it was not in fact the pseudo-anonymous British graffiti artist.

After initially dodging questions, the painter revealed that he was working for the sign painting company Colossal Media and was given the commission. It's expected that the mural will be completed later today. Banksy may or may not be in town for the Lazarides show on Houston and Bowery, but it's possible he's nearby and watching the painting go up.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Billy Parker in Arts and Events on September 27, 2008 12:27 PM

Comments [rss]

Eriiique

Babyhitter -- For some odd reason, I cannot believe that the "I'm Banksy" shirt is legit.. If I wore one around and went to Wendy's would you believe that I am banksy too? That is how it sounds.

pete0121

Not sure if it is really the case...but one of the painters girlfriends said it was an add by colossal to promote the show for deitch gallery

http://www.ruprechtstudios.com/blog/2008/9/27/banksy-coming-to-new-york-city.html

babyhitler

#13- I totally saw banksy trying to get a spicy chicken sandwich at Wendy's. He also got a frost shake.

NannyState

Are we supposed to care about this? We are? Well, then we certainly do care about this.

deanfwj

@babyhitler..your clearly making stuff up, please stop. I thinks it's good that NY is embracing street art, but surely if Banksy aint doing it, it aint a Banksy?..nether the less its's nice.

Rfive

If Colassal is doing the MURAL, its not graffiti. They are skilled painters, some former graff writers, and they do great work. Plus they get paid to paint on walls with permission.

Ides, we can always count on you to insert your head up your ass. Keep it coming!!!

Amanda Harletsch

so a graffiti artist is designing for others to execute...to corporate for me to like in a graffiti artist. More like graffiti freelancer.

Spiny

In order for the headline to read "Banksy Mural Going Up in Soho Right Now," shouldn't the mural be an authentic Banksy, or at least LOOK like a Banksy piece? It's a mural, yes, but what the hell does it have to do with Banksy, other than the fact that he also...does murals?

everyAframe

#7, we're all suckers because we like Banksy's work and you're submitting that his work is the same as a DKNY advert? Ummmm, OK:

First of all it's not 1999 and this isn't JWT or Y&R or the edgier "small shop" like Cliff Freeman, so you can stop with your "branding" talk before you break out into a fit of "measurable results" or chest thumping revelations of an "aspirational demographic of tastemakers."

Second of all, I've not seen one Banksy mural that "drives me to web" for "data capture" or "gets me to retail" or "aligns the product with a hip consumer" -- SO, I'd say that in itself is a huge difference between a Banksy piece and a DKNY ad.

Atomische

Is it Adverffiti? Graffertising?

chris

What's the difference between a Banksy piece and an advertisement for DKNY?

Branding. You're all suckers.

everyAframe

#2, vandalism is turning Jerry's into a Marc Jacobs boutique. This is arrrrrrt, baby! Banksy, yr a fcking rock star. Sorry our city is staring to look like Wilshire Blvd. Thank you for this.

babyhitler

banksy is a dick. I saw him at wendy's and he was trying to mack on some girls while on the line. I knew he was banksy cause he had a "I'm banksy" shirt on. Real subtle, banksy.