Having been brought up from the lower echelons of our class system, during my school years I had a knack for Art & Design. To be honest I was only really interested in learning historical things that I deemed useful, therefore when I learnt all about the so called ‘Art Masters’ it really was eye opening.

The ‘Art Masters’ was a term that applies to a bunch of European artists that were active from the Renaissance period to the 1800’s; some of my personal favorites of the time were Titian, Vermeer and Caravaggio.

Caravaggio in particular was imagery that really provoked a reaction from me as I am a Bowie fan, who himself was pushing me to question religious authority, values, choices.

Many of these artists of course have been a source of inspiration to many an artist, no surprise there as most modern day artists freely admit to borrowing ideas or referencing some imagery from a famous artist’s canon of work. Lets pluck one out that has meaning for us Banksy fans…..Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring).

What has really struck a chord with me since the 28th July whilst I was watching the live auctioning of Banksy’s Mediterranean Sea View is how now all of a sudden we see a Banksy Artwork being sold in the same auction as said Masters,

A Rembrandt for example was sold during that sale.

So I am not so much making a statement but asking a question, do we now categorize Banksy’s art in an Urban/Street art sale or is it now time elevate his works to be sold alongside ‘The Masters’.

In my opinion it sat very well in that sale catalogue, there are no rules anymore and who needs categories.

Banksy’s ‘Girl with pierced eardrum’ is a beautiful take on Vermeer’s ‘Girl with pearl earring’. In April 2020, during the UK wide lockdown, the artwork even got a COVID19 makeover, whereby overnight a Mask was added to the artwork.

Steve Stevens August 2020

Banksy Girl with Pierced Eardrum

Banksy Girl with Pierced Eardrum COVID19 Mask makeover