Campbarbossa, Can you introduce yourself and explain to us what you do?

Campbarbossa is Frankie, Barbara, Daphne and Elliott. Barbie is 7, Daffers is 5 and Elliott is a dog so they all really just get in the way, but without love there is nothing. We also pay low wages to any helpers we can find when we need them or flow them wonderful works of art. We work close with artists we think are super rad and who we really believe in, produce affordable, excellent quality limited edition prints and put on the odd kicking show. Got one coming up real soon. Me and my team(!) also buy, sell and collect street art on the 2ndry market.

Why did you open an online gallery ?

I already had web presence with campbarbara selling modern design furniture from the 1930's to the 70's along with ceramics and glass from a similar period and stocked contemporary art also. I owned a Banksy western super 'night'mare from back in the day and started to buy a couple more banksys for myself and then got caught up with the whole street art addiction thing and realised I had bought a load of rubbish, in panic buys, and sold all my mistakes and made some money on those and then street art started to overtake everything else in my life. I loved the scene and (most of) the people involved in it and so campbarbara.co.uk slowly become an art site and then someone nicked campbarbara.com so I shut it down and started again under campbarbossa.com. The name's a long story, another time.

When did you start collecting and selling art

See above but was also a bit of an artist myself many moons ago and have always had a very good eye, even if I say so myself.

Do you trade only on the web? Is it possible to talk to somebody behind a cup of tea

Yes, my home looks like a cave situated in a former mental home with copious amounts of street art on every wall and surface. I also meet customers in other peoples galleries like a squatter, they just laugh about it though and I do run it by them 1st : ) But yes, people are welcome to come round to Sunny North London for a cup of tea and a chat and see the art they are interested in displayed in a domestic setting. It's actually a better way to see it. Everything seems to look better in a gallery and you don't end up getting show fever at my place and end up buying something you hate 2 days later and 5k lighter!!!! I also am not a pushy salesman and can only sell what I like and I'm known for my honesty. I'm a man of my word.

How do you choose the artists your currently represent?

They have to paint on walls, (or freight trains) and have done so for some time and they must like skateboarding, very important! I also have to love their work but that's obvious. I won't be affiliated with any lilly livered nervous wrecks that are legends in their own mind. The person behind the art is important to me.

Do you organize shows/exhibition?

Yes, I did the very successful Found show and the hugely successful permission to paint show and now I'm in the middle of the Burning Bridges show which I'm doing with a couple of other associates. I love doing shows and want to do lots more and more events and projects and other stuff. Time is an issue though due to my complicated life!

What do you think of the current market around street art hype, ..... ?

Erm.... I have issues but I've upset enough people with my honesty and my big mouth inc myself. I'll shut up for once.

How do you see Campbarbossa in the next 2 years

2 years is a long time in this little scene of ours. But I'll be around for sure.

Frankie
www.campbarbossa.com