London’s Forum Auctions held the first auction devoted exclusively to the street artist Banksy in New York on 12 December, offering 40 works covering his career from the earliest Rude Copper to his latest works from his Walled Off Hotel project in Jerusalem.
Banksy is an anonymous England-based graffiti artist, political activist and film director of unverified identity. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stencilling technique. Banksy's works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.
The top lot of the sale Girl with Balloon, estimated at US$80,000-120,000, was hammered down for US$110,000. Girl with Balloon is a iconic mural created by the artist in 2002, depicting a young girl letting go of a red heart-shaped balloon.
In July 2017, Girl with Ballon was voted Britain’s Favorite Artwork in a poll of 2000 people, beating masterpieces by John Constable, J. M. W. Turner and David Hockney for the top spot.
Created in 2004, the present lot is a screenprint in colours accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Pest Control office, a handling service acting on behalf of Banksy.
Christ with Shopping Bags reflects an outrage at the level of consumerism during christmas – a time meant for focusing on the christian values of charity and giving. This work was hammered down for US$45,000.
Another highlight from the sale, Pulp Fiction, depicts the characters played by Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction, with their guns replaced by bananas. The lot was hammered down for US$16,500.
Highlights from the sale
Girl with Balloon. Screenprint in colours
Lot no.: 12
Size: 70x50cm
Created in: 2004
Estimate: US$80,000 - 120,000
Hammer price: US$110,000
Christ with Shopping Bags. Screenprint in colours
Lot no.: 20
Size: 69.8x49.5cm
Created in: 2004
Estimate: US$47,000 - 62,000
Hammer price: US$45,000
Rude Copper (Anarchy). Screenprint in colours.
Lot no.: 7
Size: 59x42cm
Created in: 2002
Estimate: US$20,000 - 30,000
Hammer price: US$34,000
Bomb Hugger. Screenprint in colours.
Lot no.: 29
Size: 69.5x49.5cm
Created in: 2003
Estimate: US$30,000 - 40,000
Hammer price: US$28,000
Donuts (Chocolate). Screenprint in colours.
Lot no.: 36
Size: 56 x 75.5cm
Created in: 2009
Estimate: US$25,000 - 35,000
Hammer price: US$24,000
Pulp Fiction. Screenprint in colours.
Lot no.: 25
Size: 50x70cm
Created in: 2004
Estimate: US$9,000 - 12,000
Hammer price: US$16,500
Golf Sale. Screenprint in colours.
Lot no.: 1
Created in: 2003
Size: 34.5x49.2cm
Estimate: US$5,000 - 8,000
Hammer price: US$7,000
Auction Summary
Auction house: Forum Auctions
Sale: Banksy NYC
Date: 12th December 2017