Banksy Destroys His Million Dollar Art at Auction

Beasts, this is bizarre. As we post this, the details are limited, and if Banksy is involved, they will stay that way. But yesterday in London, as a framed piece of art from the notorious and anonymous street artist was sold – for over a million (currency mostly irrelevant at this level) – as “The Girl With Balloon”,was taken from the auction dais to return to the administrative backstage bit at Sotheby’s – Sotheby’s, you guys, big time auctioneers, like proper grown up stuff – it spontaneously shredded itself.

Photo pinched from the Daily Mail site, I’ll try to find the credit…

what the whaaaa? Banksy you prankster!

Banksy remains a mysterious figure, somehow. His street art, which grew out of the Bristol, UK, graffiti scene in the 90s before spreading to bigger cities, like London, where one popped up in my shabby old neighbourhood one day, causing a frenzy, has been sold in proper auctions like the one this week. His works are whimsical but carry a pointed message, and have boosted the property values of the random walls of the buildings where he has stencilled overnight. He has directed a documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which was nominated for an Oscar in 2011 (he wasn’t allowed to attend the ceremony in disguise). Yet no one knows who he is. Except a few people that are expert secret keepers, coincidentally some of whom handle his finances/art sales, so, okay, we get it. Shhhh!

Gasps in the room

So, Sotheby’s. Not sure exactly how, but just after the final gavel, out of nowhere the frame started shredding “Girl”. Yes, gasps all around, but no one could stop it (a remote trigger seems to have been used). Purchased for just over 1 million British pounds – about 1,350,000 million US, and then, bzzzzzzz. The buyer was an unidentified (to the public) bidder, via telephone. Not sure if he heard the noise.

However – outlets are reporting that (quickly consulted) art experts are saying that this stunt may have actually doubled the value of “The Girl With Balloon” because of the huge interest.

Reports say the Senior Director of Sotheby’s, who surely has not ever had a day at work like this one, Alex Branczik, said: “It appears we just got Banksy-ed.” Way to laugh it off, Alex.

Also nonchalant was the artist himself: posting a picture of the moment on Instagram, Banksy wrote: ‘Going, going, gone…’

Branczik , possibly sweating profusely, said: “We have talked with the successful purchaser who was surprised by the story. We are in discussion about next steps.”

Oh Banksy, this is something.

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Martina O'Boyle

A former ABC National, Dallas and Atlanta radio personality, Martina O'Boyle is now making movies and covering culture in London, Dublin, and as far in Europe as the cheapie flights will take her, for Pop Culture Beast.