The lawsuit may reveal the name of Banksy

Two collectors sued Pest Control, owned by Banksy, due to the refusal to confirm the authenticity of the work of Monkey Queen. It is reported by The Guardian. The publication notes that at the end of the trial, the artist may have to reveal his real name.

The Pest Control website says this is the only company authorized to certify the authenticity of Banksi's works. Work that has a certificate of authenticity can be bought, sold and insured. The cost of assessing the authenticity of the works varies from 100 to 150 pounds.

Collectors Nicky Katz and Ray House said that they bought the work of Monkey Queen for 30 thousand pounds (38.5 thousand US dollars) in 2020 - Banksy's estate of the recently deceased work collector. This is a print that depicts the deceased Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth II in the form of a primat, decorated with jewelry.

It seems that no accompanying documents describing the history of this work were provided in detail, the collectors were provided, writes The Guardian. When Katz and House bought a print, it was assumed that it was one of 150 such works created by Banksy in 2003 and issued by a limited edition.

For three years, Katz and House tried to get from Pest Control issuing a certificate of authenticity for this work. Now they decided to sue the company for violation of the terms of the contract. Nicky Katz complained that he had paid the company for assessing the engraving three years ago and still did not receive an answer from her.

Graffitist’s work specialist John Brandler told The Guardian that he considers the work genuine, and called Banksy actions to manipulate the market. “Banksy certifies only those works that are in the necessary, in his opinion, hands,” the expert noted.

Banksy created Pest Control in 2008 after they began to sell fake copies of his work on the Internet.

For decades, the personality of Banksy remains a mystery to the media and the public. According to The Guardian, the artist can be Robert del one from the Massive Attack, Jamie Hughlets from Gorillaz or the former host of the ART Attack Buchenin.

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