What is Banksy's Pest Control?
Pest Control is the only body authorized to authenticate Banksy artwork. Established as a sort of gatekeeper, Pest Control serves several functions.
What Do Pest Control Office Do?
For Collectors:
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Issuing of Certificates of Authenticity: Pest Control Office is the sole body responsible for the authentication of Banksy artworks. Their primary responsibility is to examine and authenticate Banksy’s artwork ensuring that buyers of Banksy, when the work is accompanied by a PC COA, are getting the real deal.
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Keeping It Real: The Keeping It Real service allows those who have agreed to purchase a Banksy to submit the details of the work which are used to check against their database to ensure the details are correct. The process is designed to protect both the buyer and seller.
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Change of Ownership: Pest Control Office help new owners to register their work with the company and change the ownership from the previous owner.
For Banksy:
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Protecting Banksy’s Anonymity: By managing communications and official documentation, Pest Control maintains a buffer between collectors (or the public) and the artist.
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Verification and Public Record: Pest Control may occasionally confirm newly discovered street pieces, giving them legitimacy in the eyes of both collectors and the secondary market.
A crucial point is that Pest Control exclusively authenticates artworks that Banksy has produced for sale or distribution. Generally speaking, Pest Control does not authenticate street works that have been removed from their original location with an interpretation of this policy being that specific street artworks should remain in the street and for public enjoyment.
Why Pest Control Was Created?
Banksy’s popularity skyrocketed in the early 2000s, causing a surge in street art collecting. As unscrupulous individuals sought to capitalize on the artist’s meteoric rise, forgeries started proliferating. These included everything from fake canvases purportedly painted by the artist to unauthorized prints and even entire murals that were incorrectly attributed to him.
To combat this, Banksy’s team formed Pest Control. By centralizing the authentication process, Pest Control ensures that each request receives rigorous scrutiny, usually requiring photographic evidence and a detailed backstory of how the artwork was acquired. Pest Control’s official stance helps maintain the integrity of Banksy’s market value and prevents collectors from wasting money on fakes. At the same time, it sustains the enigma: no direct contact with the artist, no contradictory statements—just a discreet verification service.
When Was Pest Control Created?
Banksy's Pest Control Office was established in 2008. For works that were sold privately before their creation, owners can submit the required documentation (images of the work, signature where applicable and numbering) to request the work be authenticated. After completing this process, Pest Control will issue—or deny—a Certificate of Authenticity. If granted, the collector receives an official Pest Control–branded COA accompanied by relevant details, typically including a Pest Control reference number. It’s important to note that Pest Control rarely explains why a piece fails authentication, a policy designed to prevent forgers from reverse-engineering the process.
Discover Banksy original prints for sale at Guy Hepner, Banksy dealers since 2008, and contact our galleries via info@guyhepner.com for our current availabilities. Looking to sell? We will help. Find out how to sell Banksy prints with our teams.
