'Banksy art in Croydon': Work 'displaying Stormzy's stab vest' spotted in south London

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A Banksy installation has been spotted in south London which includes the original or replica of the stab vest worn by Stormzy during his Glastonbury headline set.

The anonymous artist, whose work sells for millions of pounds, has taken over a closed-down carpet shop in Croydon and filled it with a “range of impractical, bizarre and offensive merchandise” that will be sold online only.

Crowds gathered on Tuesday morning after the Banksy homewares store appeared overnight underneath a PureGym on the corner of Church Street and Frith Road.

The shop now has a sign above the window reading: “Gross Domestic Product.”

The outlet will not open its doors, though the lights will stay on through the night for the next two weeks so would-be bargain hunters can window shop around the clock.

The artist wants to use the earnings to buy a boat to rescue migrants caught up in the crisis in the Mediterranean.

Suspected Banksy in Croydon
Neil Williams

Among the items on sale are welcome mats made from life vests salvaged from the Mediterranean, each hand-stitched by women living in migrant camps in Greece. Banksy said: “The proceeds from these products will go towards buying a new migrant rescue boat to replace the one confiscated by Italian authorities.

"So you may well be committing a criminal offence by purchasing them.”

Another section of the installation features a baby’s cot with several security cameras pointed at it.

The Union Jack stab vest also sits in the window display beside a sign explaining: “A version of the ‘John Bull’ English gents waistcoat updated for modern times.

'Banksy' installation in south London
@frasermoyle

“This customised body armour is capable of stopping bullets up to .45 calibre and is fully stab proof. As worn by Stormzy at Glastonbury festival (because it’s very dangerous there.

“Yet not machine washable [sic]. Signed. Edition of 5 plus 2 A/P."

Banksy revealed earlier this year that Stormzy, who was born in Croydon, wore a stab vest he created during his Glastonbury headline set.

Suspected Banksy in Croydon
@frasermoyle

The artist, whose identity is a closely guarded secret, said he set up the shop for “possibly the least poetic reason to ever make some art” after taking legal advice during a trademark dispute.

He said: “A greetings cards company is contesting the trademark I hold to my art and attempting to take custody of my name — so they can sell their fake Banksy merchandise legally.

"I think they’re banking on the idea I won’t show up in court to defend myself.”

Neil Williams

The artist called on copyright lawyer Mark Stephens, who advised him that selling his own range of merchandise would make it easier to protect his copyright.

Mr Stephens said: “Banksy is in a difficult position because he doesn’t produce his own range of shoddy merchandise and the law is quite clear — if the trademark holder is not using the mark then it can be transferred to someone who will.”

Banksy - In pictures

New Banksy artworks
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A grave stone can also be seen in the exhibition featuring computer-style text which reads: "You have now reached your destination."

And cushions on a sofa inside the installation say: "Life's too short to take advice from a cushion."

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