Game Changer canvas sold for GBP 16.8 mn at Christie’s. 23 March 2021.

After a 20-minute bidding duel, the hammer landed at GBP 14,400,000. With the Buyers Premium, the buyer has to cough up GBP 16,758,000 – a new auction record for a Banksy canvas. The seller is NHS and the Southampton University Hospital. According to the lot sheet from Christie’s: “The proceeds will be used to support the wellbeing of University Hospital Southampton staff and patients.”

Well done Banksy!!

‘Mediterranean Sea View’ sold for 2,235,000 GBP at Sotheby’s. 28 July 2020

Banksy’s take on the refugee crisis went for 2,235,000 GBP, including buyer’s premium at Sotheby’s ‘Rembrandt to Richter’ auction, more than double the initial estimate. The selling party was ABCD Bethlehem – a Palestinian charity, after receiving the piece as a donation from Banksy. The information sheet for the lot continues: “All proceeds will go towards building a new acute stroke unit and purchasing children’s rehabilitation equipment for BASR hospital in Bethlehem.” 

The triptych has been on display at Walled Off Hotel since its opening in March 2017. Due to the corona situation, the hotel remains closed until further notice. The question is whether the hotel will open again or if the sale marks the beginning of the end for the iconic hotel. Hopefully not. See the previous post: The Walled Off Hotel. Palestine, March 2017.

2017 UP Mediterranean seaview

Photograph: Sotheby’s

Shredding at Sotheby’s. 5 October 2018

From Sotheby’s web:

“In a moment that caught the art world by surprise, Banksy’s Girl with Balloon self-destructed just as the final hammer signaled the end of an evening of auctions in London. The work sold for £1,042,000 ($1.4 million), tying the artist’s record in pounds at auction previously achieved in 2008. The framed work, spray paint and acrylic on canvas, mounted on board depicted a girl reaching out toward a bright red, heart shaped balloon – one of Banksy’s most iconic images – began to pass through a shredder hidden in the frame.” 

20181005 - Banksy Instagram - Shredding at Sotheby

Photo: Banksy’s Instagram

Days after the shredding, Banksy published the following two clips on his Youtube-channel:

Sotheby’s, October 5th 2018

Shredding the Girl and Balloon – The Director’s half cut