Editor-in-Chief
The street artist identified exclusively by his pseudonym, Banksy, is known internationally for his spray-painted social commentaries. One of his most famous works depicts a small girl reaching towards a heart-shaped balloon--a painting that was auctioned for $l.4 million on Oct. 5 at Sotheby’s in London, England. As the winning bid was confirmed, the painting proceeded to shred itself to pieces.
Banksy, short after, posted a video on Instagram, beginning with the caption: “A few years ago I secretly built a shredder into a painting in case it was ever put up for auction...” He shows himself constructing the shredder and the crowd’s reaction when the painting self-destructed. Sotheby’s has denied any involvement despite some believing that it was a promotional stunt.
There were also questions whether Banksy himself was present since his Instagram video is taken by an individual in the crowd. After the painted was shredded, some witnessed a man with sunglasses and a hat leaving the premises. However, the speculation that the artist was at the auction remains a mystery.
Alex Branczik, the senior director of Sotheby’s, stated that this was “the first time in auction history that a work of art automatically shredded itself after coming under the hammer.” This is argued to be a piece of art history and will cause this painting and all of Banksy’s future paintings to increase in value. Although the artwork remains shredded, the buyer has decided to go through with their purchase for the offered $1.4 million.
