Former Banksy collaborator Ben Eine to open Virgin Atlantic exhibition
Eine: “You can't be a punk all your life”
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.High art is given whole new meaning this month as British artist, Ben Eine (above), exhibits his artwork in the first ever commercial art gallery in the air. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class air passengers between London and New York have the chance to buy bespoke artwork alongside their duty-free G'n'Ts.
Ten of his new pieces are currently on display in the Upper Class Clubhouses of London Heathrow, New York JFK and Newark airports. Passengers are able to browse images of the pieces mid-air via their inflight entertainment system before, should they feel so inclined, placing an order with the cabin crew.
Graffiti artist and former Banksy collaborator Eine is known for his vibrant open-air and open-access projects such as Alphabet Street, in which he painted over Middlesex Street in east London with murals and lettering.
Does Eine worry about his change from the street to the elite, from the estate to the establishment, especially at a time when many families are struggling to pay the weekly shopping bill and even economy-class air travel is out of the question? “You can't be a punk all your life,” says Eine. “Twenty years down the line, Bansky's been put up for an Oscar and I've got a painting in the White House. We're getting older and we can let the young kids be the dangerous ones.”
The Gallery in the Air runs until 28 February (virgin-atlantic.com)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments