ciaohowdy says:

Yeah, I feel like this is just 100% WRONG. Goes against the spirit of Bansky–doesn't have any of the lightness and energy his graff has…

Don'tbeleivethehype says:

I totally disagree, as Banksy says: 'Bad artists immitate, great artists steal!' Banksy him/her/them self/selves has been so obviously inspired by Blek Le Rat and does not try to hide this. A figure inspired by Banksy is not neccessarily a copy since Banksy has never made a rat sculpture.

By the way, how does this go against the 'spirit', Banksy even inults people for buying overpriced pieces from him at auction! Especially when the same artist – DMS Played Banmksy at his own game and installed a piece at Banksy's own Bristol Museum vs Banksy show.

jj says:

I this will be like marmite! some will hate some will love, for me love it! I read on KR forums about Dms installing a piece at the banksy show, how awesome!!! I also heard these will be installed on the streets of England, so how can that be against the spirit of banksy?

DMS says:

Cheers for the comments and coverage of something I've made because I was asked to and wanted one my wife! It's inspired by and a tribute to Banksy and Blek Le Rat, most people really like them but nothing is for everyone and that's as it should be.

Anyone inspired by Banksy is inspired by Blek whether they know it or not, without Blek there would be no Banksy: "every time I think I've painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek Le Rat has done it as well, only twenty years earlier" – Banksy.

Some of my rats will be released from the captivity of my studio back into the wild where they are free to a good home.

DMS

ciaohowdy says:

I guess I feel that the beauty of Bansky's work is that a lot of is impermanent and on the verge of being covered up or destroyed. There's a beautiful tension seeing one of his pieces of graf on the street–you never know if its gonna survive to the next day. That's what I mean. That's why even if someone asked me to, I couldn't do a project like the rat figure–I'd feel it was too permanent for my taste, thas all.

I know you worked hard on the figure probably, sorry, I guess I shouldn't have been so hard on you. Just expressing my own personal take on things.

DMS says:

Hey, no problem. I’m a huge Banksy fan and as much as I enjoyed the Bristol vs Banksy show it was topped by seeing the illegal piece on the street nearby.

I just wanted to make my own piece inspired by the art. I try to balance the sold figures by releasing some onto the street to look after themselves.

I welcome people’s opinions and find it cool (and funny!) people are discussing my figure.

Cheers
DMS

DMS says:

Stuff I forgot: yeah quite a while to sculpt, only my third sculpt so far and happy with it.

I guess they are more permanent, no more than a Banksy piece sitting in Brad Pitt’s house!

All the best
DMS