Thanks @rogerhamilton for posting this great article online:
Story of the Week: What do you do if you're an anti-materialist, political activist, street artist who's art is now selling for millions?
The art world found out yesterday night. One of Bansky's best known works, "Girl With Balloon" (voted UK's favourite artwork in 2017) was sold at Sotheby's for a record £1.042 million. Moments after the hammer went down, to the shock of everyone in the auction room, a remote control triggered the destruction of the painting as it fell through a shredder hidden in the frame.
Banksy posted this photo on Instagram with the caption "Going, going, gone..."
Originally painted by Banksy on the side of a London shop 15 years ago, it was never painted to be sold. It was only in 2014 that it was converted into a framed painting to be put up for auction.
With the booby-trapped £1m prank, Sotheby's was left wondering what should happen next, with Sotheby's Director, Alex Branczik saying "It appears we just got Banksy-ed."
In the understatement of the week, he then said of the winning phone bid: "We have talked with the successful purchaser who was surprised by the story. We are in discussion about next steps."
Some are saying Bansky's stunt underlines his belief that art is to be experienced, not owned.
Whatever his reason for doing it, it makes for a great story. And great art.
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” ~ Banksy
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