Controversial street artist Banksy has done it again! During an auction at Sotheby’s London last weekend, his work “Girl with Balloon” (2006, spray paint on canvas) self-destructed after fetching 1.4 million from a telephone bidder. Reports state that an alarm went off before the painting slowly moved down the frame and incinerated itself through a built in machine.
Banksy posted a video of the shredding on his Instagram account after the event, with the caption, “‘The urge to destroy is also a creative urge’ – Pablo Picasso”. It continued to show that he secretly built a shredder into the painting’s frame, “in case it was put up for auction.”
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The painting was expected to sell at three times less its final auction price, making this the most expensive Banksy painting sold at auction. Although Sotheby’s did not release the name of the painting’s buyer, they have said in a statement that they are currently coordinating with the said party on the next steps moving forward.
“We’ve been Banksy-ed. We have not experience this situation in the past, where a painting spontaneously shredded upon achieving a record for the artist”, said Sotheby’s Head of Contemporary Art in Europe Alex Branczik, in a press conference after the event.
Although this may be the first time an event like this has occurred at a Sotheby’s auction, British artist Banksy has been known for his controversial work and actions. His political graffiti on public buildings and art pieces are illegal, which is why he keeps his identity secret. Apart from being a well-known artist, Bansky is also an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, for this documentary entitled Exit Through the Gift Shop in 2010.
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