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Banksy secretly sold original canvases for $60 in Central Park.
No one bought them.
Another work sold for $1.4 million.
He shredded it minutes later.
Last year $53,000,000 of his art sold at auction.
So how did Banksy become one of the most popular artists of our time?
No one bought them.
Another work sold for $1.4 million.
He shredded it minutes later.
Last year $53,000,000 of his art sold at auction.
So how did Banksy become one of the most popular artists of our time?
1) First things first. Banksy's true identify is unknown.
He started as a freehand graffiti artist in the 90's in Bristol, England.
To this day, he remains anonymous.
He started as a freehand graffiti artist in the 90's in Bristol, England.
To this day, he remains anonymous.
2) Banksy is known for his controversial and satirical political pieces.
'Napalm' is Banksy at his most unforgiving and in-your-face.
The co-optation of the icons of cultural fantasy and modern capitalism place this work firmly alongside the agitprop aesthetic
'Napalm' is Banksy at his most unforgiving and in-your-face.
The co-optation of the icons of cultural fantasy and modern capitalism place this work firmly alongside the agitprop aesthetic
3) He can also just be plain silly.
'Pulp Fiction' appeared on a wall near the Old Street tube station in London from 2002 to 2007.
'Pulp Fiction' appeared on a wall near the Old Street tube station in London from 2002 to 2007.
4) "Show me the Monet" sold for £7.5 million.
The work critiques contemporary society's disregard for nature in favor of consumerism.
Banksy noted "the real damage done to our environment is not done by graffiti writers and drunken teenagers, but by big business"
The work critiques contemporary society's disregard for nature in favor of consumerism.
Banksy noted "the real damage done to our environment is not done by graffiti writers and drunken teenagers, but by big business"
5) Days before a major 2017 Basquiat exhibition at a London gallery, Banksy drew a figure being frisked by two police officers.
He captioned it with "Portrait of Basquiat being welcomed by the Metropolitan Police – an (unofficial) collaboration with the new Basquiat show."
He captioned it with "Portrait of Basquiat being welcomed by the Metropolitan Police – an (unofficial) collaboration with the new Basquiat show."
6) In 2018, Banksy shocked the art world when his 2006 painting "Girl with Balloon" slid into a shredder hidden inside its frame just seconds after selling at auction for $1.4 million.
Many believe the work has now increased in value.
The works new name?
"Love is in the Bin"
Many believe the work has now increased in value.
The works new name?
"Love is in the Bin"
7) In July, during the height of the pandemic, Banksy dropped this stencil drawing at the Southampton General Hospital in the UK.
He wrote "Thanks for all you're doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if its only black and white."
He wrote "Thanks for all you're doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if its only black and white."
8) Two months later, he took a different tone. Disguising himself as a professional cleaner, he tagged a message to those not helping curb them pandemic.
"If You Don't Mask, You Don't Get" features a number of rats in pandemic-inspired poses and wearing face masks.
"If You Don't Mask, You Don't Get" features a number of rats in pandemic-inspired poses and wearing face masks.
9) "Devolved Parliament" is the most expensive Banksy work sold at auction.
It sold for $12.2 million in 2019.
Banksy commented, "Laugh now, but one day no-one will be in charge"
It sold for $12.2 million in 2019.
Banksy commented, "Laugh now, but one day no-one will be in charge"
10) Masterworks has offered two Banksy's to investors.
'Money Poison' is a satirical commentary on the excess of modern-day gasoline consumption, or a critique on animal cruelty.
It brims with the sardonic humor and socio-political themes quintessential of the artist’s oeuvre.
'Money Poison' is a satirical commentary on the excess of modern-day gasoline consumption, or a critique on animal cruelty.
It brims with the sardonic humor and socio-political themes quintessential of the artist’s oeuvre.
11) 'Mona Lisa' is the quintessential piece by Banksy: an ironic, witty re-working of one of art history’s greatest
icons.
After one year, Masterworks sold the work for a 32% return for investors, net of fees.
icons.
After one year, Masterworks sold the work for a 32% return for investors, net of fees.
12) Want to invest in paintings by artists like Banksy?
Sign up for Masterworks today. https://www.masterworks.io/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=banksy
Sign up for Masterworks today. https://www.masterworks.io/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=banksy
