This is a piece of modern art created by the mysterious underground artist known only as “El Franco James”. Some say he is a ghost from the past dropping pieces of artistic wisdom into the future while others claim he is a tormented student trying to change the world, one piece at a time. Some completely dispel his existence all together*.
El Franco burst into society with his ground breaking and shocking “Receipts”, in which 'he' released tens of bags full of receipts in the Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham, the cashier on each reading “EL FRANCO JAMES”. The outcry from the West Midlands council and the sheer effort required to clean up the aftermath created mass controversy and superstition over who El Franco James was. Blame was cast upon infamous graffiti artist, Banksy, but his spokesman was quick to dispel responsibility.
Some consider El Franco James as a movement as opposed to a clear singular artist. The clear magnitude of his work and the amount of hooded 'volunteers' that assist with his delivery point toward this outcome. Others believe that his spokesman, Peter Jacobellis, is the true mastermind behind the pieces.
Regardless of the identity of El Franco, his pieces and guerilla tactics have amassed great notoriety from government and artists alike, most famously his long-running feud with previously mentioned, fellow street 'prophet', Banksy, that started after several Banksy pieces were covered with “Franco says SELLOUT”.
El Franco James has taken an unsuspected and unusual turn from his style, instead going with the small and sweet style with his latest piece. The ticket is that: a West Midlands bus ticket. The question, “FREEDOM?” scribbled hurriedly on the back, with scratchy underlining, ties with the transport dependent modern world. With the possibilities of transport to any location at our finger tips, are we truly finally granted the freedom that humanity has so long striven to find? El Franco seems to taunt humanity with this piece, is this the freedom that we deserve, or is it the freedom we expect?
Due to the mysterious and questionable nature of El Franco James, as well as the piece, the bidding will start low, at a mere 50 pence. A piece of art history in the making, this is surely an excellent purchase.
The winner of the auction will receive the ticket through envelope and will have the freedom of displaying the piece wherever and whenever they so desire.
*El Franco James may not actually exist.
This was recently posted on a famous auction website and the ticket ended up selling for £6015 to a private collector. I had no control over it.
I create art. I try to get a message out to the people of England. It's what I feel that I was born to do. I'm a vandal and I'm a monster. A freak who wants to disrupt the comfort of society for my own selfish reasons, or so I've been told. When did art become a crime? Even the artists hate me. It's not my fault that they lost the vision. Am I losing the vision?
I try to focus, but I'm imprisoned in the commercial grasp of society, held captive by my own spokesperson. Once my trusted ally and best friend, his greed has taken over and demands more and more from me. He wants to sell my art for wealth. I'm being held hostage. He threatens to unleash my identity to the masses. I will be torn apart by the press, abandoned by all who follow and crushed under the gavel of justice.
This is an emergency call to anyone who can help. My name isn't important. I just need someone to save me.
The movement is dead.
