de pe whatyouwrite

Graffiti Artist GHOST Gets Slimed By Chinatown Vendors

It’s not just luxury handbags and electronics that get knocked off down in Chinatown. We recently spotted these all-over-print t-shirts for girls that blatantly have graffiti artist GHOST’s signature artwork, literally, all over them. They’re straight rip-offs of his characters and we knew that he definitely didn’t give the OK. The shirts, by a company called Raw Blue, were selling for $10 a pop down on Canal street in NYC. Trying to get to the bottom of this, we emailed GHOST himself to hear what he thought. From what we read, sounds like they even send out Chinatown spies to art openings in Soho for inspiration, so artists beware.

Where do you think that got these characters from? (For e.g. Is there a specific piece of art work they grabbed these from?)
It looks like the installation i did for the Stussy store in NY.

Is this the first time you’re art has been blatantly knocked off and sold?
Yes

The Chinese are known for their pirating of everything from cars and iPhones to DVD’s and luxury brands. Are you surprised that even an obscure artist like yourself would be targeted?
I’m obscure?? Yea I guess so.

Did you call a lawyer or try and figure out how you can flex your copyright protection or is that shit more expensive than it’s worth?
I have contacted a lawyer, and even talked to a friend of mine who’s a cop. It’s expensive yet it needs to be done.

If one of your fans see this on the street: Would you mind if they bought it? Or would rather they rack it and burn it?
I have fans? Ha ha ha. Steal it, burn it, eat it, whatever.

We took a look at your trailer, checked out the shit you did with Stussy, and saw the toys you did, what’s next for GHOST?
Pornos.

What was the best 80’s or 90’s rivalry you ever had?
My stepfather in the 80’s, and myself. I’m my own worse enemy.

You know KET very well. What do you think about thecase against him? This is a landmark case and could be the first time a guy gets prosecuted without actually being caught in the act. Does the City have a chance of winning?
All I know is he has never been arrested before and they want to send him away for a crime he was never caught for… It’s bullshit.

More on GHOST here: www.cousinfrank.com