Banksy Encourages Shoplifting After Guess Store Allegedly 'Steals' His Artwork

Banksy is a street artist famous for his brand mystique and captivating graffiti murals. This time around, even if we can’t see his face, he’s making sure his voice is heard. The artist has a beef with Guess because, the artist claims, the apparel company used his work in their marketing campaign without consent or payment.

The artist stoked his audience into a frenzy via Instagram and encouraged his audience and listeners to loot the Guess store on London's Regent Street.

"They've helped themselves to my artwork without asking, how can it be wrong for you to do the same to their clothes?"

Over 1.7 million people have liked the post since then, and many have left supportive comments for Banksy, pointing out the widespread theft and unauthorized usage of artists' work.

The store used a mural titled "Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower)," one of Banksy's most recognizable pieces, as its backdrop. The black and white image depicts a man poised to toss a bouquet of colorful flowers at the viewer.

Guess's recent advertising push highlighted their alliance with BRANDALISED, a company that licenses graffiti art for low-priced products, and featured Banksy's work prominently. The shop temporarily shut down after Banksy's post because of the uproar.

Guess has yet to release a statement on the matter.