It’s happened with works by one of the world’s most renowned graffiti artists, an anonymous painter who hails from Bristol, England, and uses the moniker Banksy. Often Banksy satirizes contemporary society using black stencil art, incorporating familiar icons but giving them a dark twist.
In 2010, Banksy made Time magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people. Like other über-popular artists working today, from Jeff Koons to Kehinde Wiley, Banksy must contend with controversies surrounding the intersection of art and commerce – which is one of many issues addressed in this film.

Still shot from the documentary Saving Banksy, which shows the Haight Street Rat at the heart of the film.
Parade Deck Films
During the film, viewers follow the work’s fate. In the process, they’re confronted with issues involving ethics, politics, and unintended consequences. The film includes multiple perspectives, from art collector to graffiti writer.
Several artists are featured in the film, including Blek Le Rat, a Paris artist and stencil street art pioneer who influenced Banksy’s work. Saving Banksy also includes conversations with artists Ben Eine, Risk, Revok, Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman, Anthony Lister, Doze Green, and Hera — as well as photographer Glen E. Friedman.
Banksy's influence spans the globe, and has clearly touched the Phoenix arts community. When Nuestra Gente and monOrchid presented "The Real Nitty Gritty," an exhibition featuring primarily works by local graffiti artists, in March 2016, it included a nod to graffiti pioneers by the artist Move.
In February 2015, Paul Horner created a digital image in Banksy's style, and led people to think it was painted on Roosevelt Row art bar The Lost Leaf. For a time, some were actually fooled by Horner's hoax.

Work by the artist Move included in an exhibition of works by graffiti artists at monOrchid in March 2016.
Lynn Trimble
It’s fitting that FilmBar is showing Saving Banksy first, given its own connections to local street art culture.

Mural painted by Joerael Elliott (with concentric circle piece painted by Jesse Perry) at FilmBar.
Lynn Trimble
FilmBar’s first Saving Banksy screening happens at 9:15 p.m. on Friday, January 13. Tickets are $9. Visit the FilmBar website for details.