Episode 10: Pest Control Provenance

This weeks guest Niki Best explores her grievances with Pest Controls's refusal of provenance for her original Banksy print… After eleven years in Paris as a buyer for Ralph Lauren, Niki joined the pioneering collective Artomatic. There, involvement included buying for three stores and co-curating the influential exhibition “I Like Printing,” which featured artists such as EINE, REAS, ESPO, KAWS, KR, Dalek, Ryan McGinness, Robert Del Naja (3D from Massive Attack), and Tom Hingston.Following Artomatic’s closure, the success of its collaborative spirit inspired the creation of BEST—a Clerkenwell-based space dedicated to design, art, and clothing. Located opposite St Martins, BEST became a must-visit destination for art students and professionals. The space hosted rotating six-week exhibitions where artists took over the shop entirely, showcasing both emerging and established talents including Mike Giant, Dalek, Matt Sewell, Adam Neate, Pinky Bert, and MERZ.