02/07/2007
Banksy Works Continue to See Bank at Auction
Sotheby's is holding what many are calling London's largest art sale in history this week. On Monday the auction house brought in in a whopping £94.9 million in an auction of modern and impressionist works.
Today, the Banksy I posted about in January, "Bombing Middle England" (pictured above), was scooped up for £102,000, a record price. The painting depicts three people lawn bowling with bombs. I'm not sure if the two gloved gentlemen were included, but that would have been a nice bonus. Banksy works set records across the board, although one failed to sell. It was the only piece that bore a signature. More go on sale tomorrow.
In other Banksy news, a couple of homeowners in Bristol, England (which is Banksy's birthplace) have refused to sell their house to a set of prospective buyers because the new owners wanted to destroy a Banksy mural pictured below) that was painted on an exterior wall several years ago.
The owners value the work so much that instead, they've decided to sell the 5' x 25' mural, and give the house away with it.
The sale is being handled by the Red Propellor Gallery, and more shots of the mural can be seen there.
Posted 3:30 PM EST by Andy Towle in Art & Design, Auctions, Banksy, Great Britain, London, News, Real Estate | Permalink
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Please... I am begging you... Stop the Banksy posts. I so love your blog, but I can't imagine ANYONE caring about this crap.
Posted by: Kirby | Feb 7, 2007 4:30:24 PM
Yeah, I'm kinda with Kirby, there. I don't find this Banksy guy at all interesting. It's all lame dadaist shenanigans that we've seen before many times.
I mean, it's your blog, post what you want, I suppose, but I find Banksy to be a big yawn. He's like the Paris Hilton of the art world, famous for nothing much.
Posted by: Dan | Feb 7, 2007 5:03:45 PM
Is he gay? Is that what TR's fascination with him stems from--like the next Keith Haring? Or is it just trendy art/kitsch?
Posted by: hill_w | Feb 7, 2007 5:50:28 PM
Calling all Nietzschean Banksy vandals...
Posted by: GBM | Feb 7, 2007 5:59:16 PM
I agree, this Banksy coverage bites, as does his art.
Posted by: Cal | Feb 7, 2007 8:16:14 PM
How funny ... my first thought was, oh good lord not more Banksy and then I saw there were a few comments and wondered are others tired of these posts too? So Andy ... love this blog, but it is your blog ... just know that a few of us dont care about Banksy ... I mean is he dating Reichen?
Posted by: Scott | Feb 7, 2007 8:24:37 PM
I am a recent art school graduate, and I have never heard of this artist outside this blog...Auction prices are not good indicators of who is and isn't making good art and I would also add that the artist set a record for HIS market. Those prices aren't that outstanding compared with other artists
Posted by: Mike | Feb 7, 2007 8:31:26 PM
"Dating Reichen" Now that's funny.
Posted by: hill_w | Feb 7, 2007 8:37:49 PM
Mike: Banksy came to prominence as a provocative graffiti artist operating outside the art establishment. Prints followed, then art auction sales and a book from Random House. We're watching another outsider get rich by being absorbed into the establishment. That's his choice but it rather weakens the position that he started from which was that of a subversive critic and satirist. A shame but rather inevitable at the same time.
Most artists are only making unique objects for very rich people to buy; he's now no different.
Posted by: John C | Feb 7, 2007 10:50:51 PM
I like his work and enjoy seeing it featured on Towleroad.
Posted by: Bryce | Feb 8, 2007 12:17:37 AM
Damn, this Banksy guy is like the Mika of the artworld, I hear about him everywhere I go! hah
But I enjoy the choices of coverages on this blog for the striking imageries and the visuals. Its what makes it stand out.
Posted by: Da | Feb 8, 2007 2:23:38 AM
If one could define art that would save us millions of dollars. I don't care what you buy for your home,, I do care what we collectively have to pay for in the name of politics for public galleries. Man you should see some of the junk in the National Gallery of Canada.
One of the pieces is of a board that is approx 15 feet by 25 and it is painted white, the grand total for that was 5 million, that is a lot of cocktails boys.
Posted by: Dr. Pat | Feb 8, 2007 7:02:22 PM
Forgot to mention that I wouldn't hang anything that Andy W. did in the can of my home.
Posted by: Dr. Pat | Feb 8, 2007 7:04:42 PM
Personally, I enjoy the Banksy updates. Why is it that people only expect Andy to write about Reichen and other silly gossip. I mean, I enjoy the gossip as much as the next guy, but his blog is for modern gay men... that means well-rounded men, who are knowledgeable about popular culture, but also art, music, cinema, politics and health.
If you aren't interested in the Banksy updates, my suggestion is that you simply don't read them.
(Such a brilliant lack of complication!)
Posted by: Rich D. | Feb 9, 2007 5:53:38 PM
You guys are complete narrow-minded, singular-dimensioned idiots.
If anything, you should be championing someone that subverts and challenges the status quo, especially a status quo rife with hypocrisy and idiocy concerning homosexuality, among other things (all of which Banksy BRILLIANTLY comments on).
Have you ever seen his art? Or, are you just pissed that he's not gay and, of course, nothing that isnt homosexual in nature should have any place or relevance in your limited world view?
You guys are essentially like someone in the 60's saying "Enough with this Warhol guy. We get it, soup cans....wait, does he suck dick?"
Andy, awesome job with exposing Banksy's genius art and activities for even more people to see and admire.
Maybe with every Banksy article you post, you should just also include a small picture of his street stencil of the two male British police officers making out. I guess then the gay ignorantsia will be happy.
Posted by: Rick | Feb 10, 2007 12:58:06 AM
I don't get why you would read a blog and then tell the writer to stop posting about something you're not interested in.
Guess what? It's not about you.
If you're not interested in a post just scroll to the next one. It's that simple.
Posted by: Billy | Feb 10, 2007 1:45:10 AM
I think Banksy is great. He's a rebel. His freedom and creativity make many nervous and some jealous, as witnessed by the snooty remarks above. Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Posted by: FiFI | Jun 15, 2007 7:03:10 AM
Hi,
I am selling various prints by:
D*Face
Banksy (DiFaced tenner) and others
Cauty
Sick Boy
Faile and others.
If you are interested, Please email me at artstar2009@gmail.com
Thanks!
Posted by: Peter | Oct 27, 2008 1:23:29 AM