Bonhams seems to have created a whole new genre of art auction after the success of their first “Urban Art” auction in London recently. It featured street, graffiti and urban art from artists like Banksy, Keith Haring, Antony Micallef, Adam Neate, Faile, Paul Insect, Space Invader, Swoon, D*Face and Jamie Hewlett.
Gareth Williams of Bonhams says “Urban art is art at its most accessible, available in the public arena for universal appreciation. However, by definition it is also an ephemeral art form, often disappearing as fast as it appears. By transposing their images from street wall to canvas, urban artists are now creating a permanent legacy without compromising the vitality of their art form and it is these works which are currently taking the market by storm.”
This Banksy screen print below (which is one of 50 printed) more than tripled its pre-auction estimate and sold for £96,000.
Banksy – ‘Kate Moss’, 2005 (£96,000)
signed, dated and numbered ’30/50′ in pencil, screenprint image, 52.5 x 52.5cm (20 11/16 x 20 11/16in).
Paris Hilton’s debut album that once sold for £10.95 at a HMV music store increased in value considerably after a little Banksy tampering. The artist tampered with 500 of the Paris Hilton CDs and placed them in music stores.
Banksy tampered with the images on the case and insert, depicting the Paris Hilton with a dog’s head and the body of a nude mannequin, interspersed with subversive slogans including ’90% of Success is just Showing up’ and ‘Every CD you buY puts me eVen further out Of youR league’. The music was remixed by Banksy and Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley and the Grey Album fame, and contains tracks with titles such as “Why Am I Famous?”, What Have I Done?” and “What Am I For?”.
Banksy – ‘Paris Hilton’, 2006 (£2,600 not including taxes and premium)
customised CD and case 12.5 x 14.5cm (4 15/16 x 5 11/16in).
Top lots from the Bonhams Urban Art auction in London
- Banksy ‘Laugh Now’
a large stencil spray paint on wood
Fetched: £228,000
Estimate: £150,000-200,000 - Banksy, Untitled
Fetched: £98,400
Estimate: £40,000-60,000 - Banksy, Kate Moss
screenprint
Fetched: 96,000
Estimate: £20,000-30,000 - Nick Walker – Moona Lisa
Fetched: £54,000
Estimate £3,000-5,000 - Adam Neate, ‘The Apprentice’
Fetched: £43,200
Estimate: £25,000-30,000 - Banksy, Di-Faced Tenners
Fetched: £21,000
Estimate: £7,000-10,000 - Dan Baldwin, The End of Everything
Fetched: £24,000
Estimate: £15,000-20,000
About Dion
Banksy: Pop art bent given by Warhol!
The banksy phenomenon is interesting.
New Pop Art phenomenon is increasing interest in contemporart atr and artists and helps promote the industry. Prices are getting better and the use of internet is bringing costs down and increase exposure to patrons and clients. We all benefit! Thanks for the news trend info and keep up the good work. Thee Arg Gallery at weddellart.com by Monty Ousley Weddell, TX, USA
Thats amazing, seeing those prices for Banksy’s work. He has a wonderful wit. The art world/community always needs a little fun made of it. Wonderful blog by the way. I have procrastinated a little too long on here, though.
Thanks!
Simon