A biography for Ben Einehasn’t been written yet.
“Most people think I do street art, so I do everything for nothing. I'm an urchin who paints walls and does work for nothing. That's the first misconception about street artists, that we just paint for nothing.”
“Street art belongs on the street. But I'm a working street artist and I earn my money selling art in the style of street art via galleries.”
“I don't get paid for what I do in public places. So I invest the money I earn in galleries back into doing the stuff I passionately want to do on the street.”
“My work isn't overtly political, although it is sometimes painted in places where I don't have permission to paint, so that could be construed as a political statement.”
“Street artists want to add something to the environment. They consider the audience, whereas graffiti writers don't care about anyone except themselves, they do it purely for the kick.”
“I'm a bit too old for anarchy. If I was younger I might be more political but I'm married with kids and I've got a mortgage.”
“Banksy's a very selfish, driven, paranoid artist. For good reasons.”
“I'm not a massive artist by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, I've been in papers and magazines, but you never have any idea if anyone actually reads it or pays any attention.”
“Anyone can lose their home and find their life is turned upside down.”
“My philosophy through all my work, be it on canvas or on the street, is about pushing boundaries and not going with the flow because everyone else is doing something a certain way.”
“I don't want to sell to street art collectors, I want to sell to art collectors.”
“I got a message from Downing Street that my picture's hanging in the White House. Which is weird.”