Uniqlo, the store that is renowned for its supposedly unique and low priced clothing has decided to launch a range of t -shirts with the works of Basquiat printed on them.So far, I have only come across people's joy and praise of Uniqlo for doing this, but after looking at this through the eyes of an artist, I feel sickened and enraged.
Basquiat was an artist that stood for freedom and individuality which makes me wonder what he would think about his works being mass printed and sold on t-shirts throughout the UK and probably the rest of the world.
Basquiat clearly expressed how much he hated the prospect of his art being remade and even the fact that people would steal his graffiti from the front door where he used to live to the walls of city buildings. This cashing in on others fame, is currently being echoed with the works of Banksy being sold by people, and cheap replicas which I so commonly come across when wondering around Greenwich Market.
Everyone seems to be laughing to the bank, except the person that has put the time in to create their masterpiece.
Mostly fashionistas seem to love the idea of his art being on their t-shirt, it's all the rage at the moment, but I feel that some people are being robbed blind here.
Basquiat was an artist that stood for freedom and individuality which makes me wonder what he would think about his works being mass printed and sold on t-shirts throughout the UK and probably the rest of the world.
Basquiat clearly expressed how much he hated the prospect of his art being remade and even the fact that people would steal his graffiti from the front door where he used to live to the walls of city buildings. This cashing in on others fame, is currently being echoed with the works of Banksy being sold by people, and cheap replicas which I so commonly come across when wondering around Greenwich Market.
Everyone seems to be laughing to the bank, except the person that has put the time in to create their masterpiece.
Mostly fashionistas seem to love the idea of his art being on their t-shirt, it's all the rage at the moment, but I feel that some people are being robbed blind here.
Basquiat t shirts have been available for a long time through many foundations that stand for what he believes in. The money goes to a charity he supports (such as AIDS), not a big profit making industry.
The t shirts sell for approximately £14, though high demand has seen them sell on ebay for as much as £75. None of that money ends up going to the charity of the artists choice.
No comments:
Post a Comment