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Graffiti artists Banksy and King Robbo master art of PR?

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

April 24, 2010 | 3 min read

Banksy, the internationally renowned graffiti arists has apparently engaged in a war with London rival King Robbo. But is it all a cynical stunt?

And, if today’s report in The Guardian is anything to go by, the PR strategy is paying dividends.

The ‘war’ between Banksy – originally from Bristol, an now an internationally renowned and best selling artist – and King Robbo, who up until now has only had any real profile in the underground graffiti scene kicked off before Christmas.

An urban artist – identified by some as Banksy – painted over a famous 25 year old King Robbo mural, which was under a Campden Canal bridge.

The new work featured a stencil of a workman papering the wall with paper. However, King Robbo – who has been in retirement for many years – apparently hit back, adapting the alleged Banksy work to look like a King Robbo tribute.

Meanwhile other Banksy works have been altered. A well known work showing Charles Manson with a hitchhiker sign saying “anywhere” has been changed to say “going nowhere” and then signed ‘Team Robbo’.

And another famous Banksy work in Islington, showing three children hoisting a Tesco ‘flag’ was defaced so the bag read ‘HRH King Robbo’.

However, said one graffiti artist, “In my opinion it’s all about publicity. Banksy is a household name whereas Robbo is very well respected in underground circles.

“By bringing attention to Robbo’s work, Banksy has drawn attention to himself at the same time as boosting Robbo’s profile. I’d put money on the fact that they have liased on this.”

Banksy’s work can sell for over £600,000 and his first film ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ was released in the UK last month

See more Banksy work.

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