Street Art, Auctions & NFTs: How Tech Is Transforming the Art World, Ralph Taylor, Head of Contemporary Art at Bonhams

In this episode of the KoobrikLabs podcast, Orlando Wood speaks with Ralph Taylor, Global Head of 20th and 21st Century Art at Bonhams, about the intersection of street art, technology, and the global art market.

Ralph shares his journey from Sotheby’s to the Lazarides Gallery – home to Banksy, JR, and Invader – before returning to the auction world to lead Bonhams’ contemporary art division. He reflects on the early street art movement, its crossover into mainstream culture, and the tensions between authenticity, commercialization, and legacy.

The conversation delves into how blockchain and NFTs could reshape art authentication and secondary market royalties, why artists are still wary of digital provenance, and how Bonhams scaled from a £200 million to £1 billion business through a tech overhaul during the pandemic. Ralph also shares thoughts on AI art, digital scarcity, the cyclical nature of artistic value, and what it really means to own a piece of culture.

Whether you’re a collector, curator, or just curious about the future of creativity and commerce, this episode offers a rare inside look at how technology is reframing art’s value – from spray-painted streets to global auction houses.

Orlando and Ralph explore:

• Shifting roles in the art world – from Sotheby’s to street art galleries to leading global auctions at Bonhams
• The rise of street art – how Banksy, JR, and Invader bridged underground culture with mainstream recognition
• Technology’s impact on art – from social media and digital prints to NFTs and blockchain authentication
• Challenges in resale and royalties – navigating artists’ relationships with the secondary market and protecting their legacy
• The future of creative value – why authorship, authenticity, and cultural relevance still matter in an AI-driven world

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Connect with Ralph on LinkedIn: Ralph Taylor | LinkedIn

Visit Bonhams website: Bonhams : Home

Visit KoobrikLabs website: KoobrikLabs - KoobrikLabs

Chapter markers

[00:00] Introduction to Ralph Taylor – From Sotheby’s to Bonhams and the journey through the art world.

[01:39] Breaking tradition – Leaving auction houses to work with street artists at Lazarides Gallery.

[04:23] Street art’s rise – Banksy, social media, and the appeal of accessible, message-driven art.

[07:24] Prints, resin, and Invader – Making ephemeral work collectible and the gamification of art.

[11:18] JR, tech, and storytelling – Street art beyond the wall and into digital content and social impact.

[16:36] The street art label – Why artists reject the term and how context in contemporary art matters.

[21:03] Auction dynamics – How artists react to secondary market sales and the importance of curation.

[26:26] NFTs and authentication – Smart contracts, blockchain, and the future of provenance in art.

[35:45] AI-generated art – Historic resistance to new tech and the creative opportunities AI presents.

[40:12] Inside the auction room – The mechanics, tech, and showmanship behind modern art auctions.