BANKSY, the elusive, anonymous graffiti artist based in the UK, is one of the most talked-about figures in the world. This year, the exhibition "BANKSY GENIUS OR VANDAL?" was held in Yokohama and Osaka. Over 70 original works, making their Japanese debut, offered a comprehensive overview of his career to date.

Beyond his socially satirical graffiti using stencils, Banksy also produced the documentary film "EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP" and temporarily opened the nightmarish theme park "Dismaland." It's still fresh in our memory how, in 2018, his artwork "Girl with Balloon," put up for auction, was sold for £1,042,000 (approximately ¥155 million) and simultaneously shredded by a hidden mechanism within the frame, astonishing the world.

The "Sync. MONKEY SIGN (DRIP REVERSE Ver.)" introduced here is a statue inspired by Banksy's graffiti found in various locations in 2002, such as London Underground carriages, the bridge over the famous Portobello Road Market, and walls in the Notting Hill district. Alongside rats, monkeys are one of the animal motifs Banksy uses most frequently. The message boards on the front and back of the approximately 360mm tall figure read, "DO NOTHING YOU’LL LIVE LONGER."

Sync. is an original brand from MEDICOM TOY that proposes playful items with the concept of "Synchronize," valuing the connection between "artists" and "objects." They have released numerous statues inspired by Banksy's graffiti, and the "Sync. MONKEY SIGN (DRIP REVERSE Ver.)" is a monochrome inverted version of the "DRIP Ver." with dripping paint, which was released to great acclaim at the MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION '19 venue last July. As this is a limited quantity release, check the official MEDICOM TOY blog and social media for details on the release date and purchasing methods.

Sync. MONKEY SIGN (DRIP REVERSE Ver.)

Size | Approx. 360mm (H)
Price | ¥48,000 (excl. tax)
Release Date | Scheduled for February 2020
Retailer | MEDICOM TOY PLUS

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