Watch CBS News

Bloomberg Bashes Banksy's Street Art

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg is not a fan of the mysterious graffiti artist Banksy.

The renowned British street artist, who keeps his identity secret, is doing a month-long "residency" in New York, using the city's walls as his canvas.

But Blooomberg, known for his philanthropic generosity to the arts, said he's unimpressed, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.

Michael Bloomberg: Banksy's Graffiti 'Not My Definition Of Art'

"Graffiti does ruin people's property and is a sign of decay and a loss of control," Bloomberg said.

"Art is art, and nobody's a bigger supporter of the arts than I am," he added. "I just think there are some places for art, and there are some places (for) no art. And you running up to someone's property or public property and defacing it is not my definition of art."

Banksy posts his latest artwork on his website and on Instagram, and fans have been flocking to see his graffiti. On Tuesday, he painted a 9/11 tribute in TriBeCa.

His work has sold for millions to the likes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. But no one has ever so much as confirmed his real name.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.