GRAPHĒ: Banksy Launches an Online Store Filled With Dystopian Home Goods

Banksy’s GrossDomesticProduct online shop is surprisingly affordable—but there’s a catch.

On October 1, Banksy opened a brick-and-mortar shop in South London featuring a new line of home goods marked with familiar brand of dystopian sociopolitical commentary. The store wasn’t actually open to customers—it behaved more as an installation for passersby to glimpse and ogle his latest—but it previewed the coming of his newly launched web store.

As planned, Banksy shuttered the Croydon pop-up over the weekend and transitioned those works to an online marketplace he launched to put art back in the hands of genuine art lovers at a fair price.

The Banksy™ Met Ball is a home entertainment lighting system made of approximately 650 tiny mirrors attached to a police riot helmet. Those who appear genuinely interested in art itself—as opposed to its resale value—have the opportunity to purchase one of the 15 items available. Each goes for around $650. Most works on the site come signed by the artist. — Banksy™ Met Ball is a home entertainment lighting system made of approximately 650 tiny mirrors attached to a police riot helmet. Those who appear genuinely interested in art itself—as opposed to its resale value—have the opportunity to purchase one of the 15 items available. Each goes for around $650. Most works on the site come signed by the artist.

Courtesy of Banksy

The Banksy™ Ultra HD TV features a TV painted with a child surrounded by ash that falls like snowflakes. Although it’s not great for watching tv, Banksy says that it is great from an art point of view. Each TV is made to order. — The Banksy™ Ultra HD TV features a TV painted with a child surrounded by ash that falls like snowflakes. Although it’s not great for watching TV, Banksy says that it is great from an art point of view. Each TV is made to order.

Courtesy of Banksy

He calls the home goods line GrossDomesticProduct, and it includes bedazzled police riot helmets, taxidermied plush toy animals, and frankensteined clutch bags made from actual bricks.

Although the goods are surprisingly accessible—one-of-a-kind mugs go for as little as $13—quantities are limited, the seller is weary, and there are no guarantees. After you’ve selected an item to purchase, the checkout page asks, "Why does art matter?" Comedian Adam Bloom will judge replies, and he says each customer should be as "amusing, informative, or enlightening as possible."