Shredding Expectations: The Record-Breaking Sales Of Banksy’s Art At Auctions

Banksy, the enigmatic street artist born in Bristol, UK, has become one of the most influential and controversial figures in contemporary art. 

What sets Banksy apart is his ability to blend art with activism, using public spaces as his canvas to provoke public discourse. His anonymity and disdain for the conventional art market have only fueled his legend, making his pieces highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike.

Below are the most iconic Banksy works that deserve a moment in auction history.

The most expensive Banksy artworks sold at auctions

15. Keep it Spotless – $1.8 Million

“Keep it Spotless” was created in 2007 as a bold commentary on the art world and consumer culture. 

Originally a Damien Hirst painting, Banksy defaced it with spray paint and household gloss on canvas, depicting a spray-painted Los Angeles hotel maid named Leanne. In the piece, Leanne is shown pulling up Hirst’s artwork to sweep underneath, symbolizing the relentless pursuit of cleanliness and perfection in society, even at the expense of art. 

Auctioned at Sotheby’s Charity auction in New York on February 14, 2008, “Keep it Spotless” unexpectedly became the most expensive Banksy artwork ever sold at the time, fetching $1.8 million.

14. Original Concept for Barely Legal poster (After Demi Moore) – $3.7 million

The “Original Concept for Barely Legal poster (After Demi Moore)” holds a significant place in Banksy’s oeuvre. 

In Banksy’s 2006 reinterpretation, the two-meter-long painting replaces Moore’s face with a monkey’s visage, adorned with a black wig and cigarette between its lips. This satirical twist challenges conventional notions of beauty and celebrity, offering a commentary on society’s obsession with fame and image.

In 2021, the controversial artwork sold for 3.7 million at a Sotheby’s auction in London, solidifying its status as a seminal piece in Banksy’s portfolio.

14. Girl with Balloon, Stencil and spray paint on metal – $3.7 million

“Girl with Balloon,” a timeless masterpiece by Banksy, was originally created in 2002, yet continues to captivate audiences with its emotive simplicity and universal themes. 

This 2006 rendition, presented on metal—and part of Robbie Williams’ famous collection—depicts a girl releasing a red, heart-shaped balloon into the distance. Like its predecessors, the image symbolizes innocence, hope, and the transient nature of dreams.

In a historic auction moment, the 2006 metal reinterpretation sold for $3.7 million dollars at a Sotheby’s auction in London in 2022. 

13. Girl with Balloon (Diptych) – $4.2 Million

“Girl with Balloon (Diptych)”—one of the many variations of the iconic Banksy artwork—was created in 2005 as a poignant reflection on innocence, hope, and the fleeting nature of childhood dreams. 

This diptych features a small girl reaching for a red heart-shaped balloon against a simple white background. The image captivates viewers with its simplicity and emotive power, resonating with themes of longing, aspiration, and the universal desire for love and connection. The artwork gained fame for its universal appeal and Banksy’s ability to convey complex emotions through minimalist imagery. 

In 2021, Girl with Balloon (Diptych) sold for $4.2 million at a Christie’s auction in London, reaffirming its status as an influential masterpiece in contemporary art.

12. Vandalised Oil (Choppers) – $5.7 million

“Vandalised Oil (Choppers),” an iconic artwork by Banksy, was created to challenge conventional notions of art and ownership. Crafted in 2005, the Banksy art piece features a defaced oil painting depicting military helicopters hovering above a serene countryside landscape. 

This juxtaposition of destruction against tranquility serves as a commentary on the impact of warfare on peaceful environments. The artwork gained fame for its provocative message and bold artistic intervention, garnering attention from collectors worldwide. 

In 2022, Vandalised Oil (Choppers) sold for a remarkable $5.7 million—as part of Robbie Williams’ estate—at a Sotheby’s auction in London. 

11. Sale Ends Today – $6.1 million

“Sale Ends Today” was created in 2006 as a satirical commentary on modern consumerist culture. Depicting a group of individuals dressed in religious habit, fervently praying to a sign that reads “Sale Ends Today,” the piece highlights society’s obsession with material possessions and the lengths people will go to acquire them. 

Despite being a critique of rampant consumerism, the artwork itself became one of Banksy’s most expensive pieces. In May 2021, the painting sold for $6.1 million at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong.

10. Subject to Availability – $6.3 million

“Subject to Availability” emerged in 2009 as a poignant commentary on environmental issues and the fleeting nature of beauty. The artwork features a defaced rendition of Albert Bierstadt’s 1890 painting of Mount Rainier National Park, with Banksy’s signature asterisk commentary in the bottom right corner, stating, “Subject to availability for a limited period.” 

This juxtaposition of vandalism against the serene landscape serves as a stark reminder of the impermanence of nature and the urgent need to address climate change. Banksy’s intervention brings the painting into the contemporary context of the global climate crisis, aligning with Bierstadt’s own concerns about environmental destruction. 

In 2021, “Subject to Availability” sold for $6.3 million at Christie’s in London, making it one of the most expensive Banksy artworks ever sold at an auction. 

9. Trolley Hunters – $6.7 Million

Created in 2007, “Trolley Hunters” emerged as a thought-provoking commentary on consumerism and Western culture. The Banksy artwork features a group of hunter-gatherers pursuing shopping carts rather than wild animals, highlighting the absurdity of modern society’s relentless pursuit of material possessions and lack of self-sufficiency. 

The piece gained fame for its clever juxtaposition of primitive hunting practices with contemporary culture, sparking conversations about consumerism, environmentalism, and the human condition. 

In 2021, Banksy’s Trolley Hunters sold for $6.7 million at Sotheby’s, only months after the auction house became the first ever to accept cryptocurrency. 

8. Love is in the Air – $8.1 million

While “Love is in the Air” was originally created in 2003, the famous large-scale stencil has been reworked into various editions over the years. 

The 2006 edition of a protester hurling a bouquet of flowers is set against a subdued beige backdrop, embodying Banksy’s message of choosing love over violence. 

In November 2021, the 2006 edition of Banky’s “Love is in the Air ” sold for $8.1 million at Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, far surpassing its presale estimates.

7. Forgive Us Our Trespassing – $8.3 million

Created in 2010, “Forgive Us Our Trespassing,” delves into the often misunderstood world of street art. Seven feet in height, the colossal Banksy canvas challenges the perception that street artists defile urban landscapes, instead suggesting that their work enhances the beauty of their surroundings. This, of course, speaks to the artist’s personal relationship with street art and the law. 

Based on Banksy’s original piece from 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah, it portrays a young graffiti artist kneeling in prayer, adorned with a halo. Notably, over 100 students from the City of Angels School contributed to its creation, aiming to inspire young minds to embrace the transformative power of art. 

In 2021, Forgive Us Our Trespassing sold for $8.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong.

6. Show me the Monet – $10.3 Million

Banksy’s “Show me the Monet” originated in 2005 as a playful reinterpretation of Claude Monet’s iconic water lilies series. Inspired by Monet’s impressionist style, Banksy infuses his trademark wit by introducing abandoned shopping carts and a traffic cone into the serene pond scene. 

This juxtaposition of urban debris against the backdrop of natural beauty serves as a commentary on the encroachment of consumerism on the environment. The artwork gained fame for its clever blend of high art and contemporary social commentary, becoming a symbol of Banksy’s irreverent approach to traditional artistic conventions.

In 2020, “Show me the Monet” sold for $10.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in London, solidifying its status as a sought-after and thought-provoking Banksy masterpiece.

5. Devolved Parliament – $12.2 Million

“Devolved Parliament,” a seminal work by Banksy, was conceived in 2009 as a satirical commentary on the state of British politics and society. Depicting the House of Commons filled with chimpanzees instead of politicians, the enormous artwork offers a scathing critique of the political establishment and its perceived ineffectiveness. 

Its creation coincided with a period of political turmoil and disillusionment, adding to its resonance and impact. The Banksy art piece gained international fame for its bold imagery and biting wit, sparking conversations about the nature of governance and democracy. 

In 2019, Devolved Parliament sold for $12.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in London, underscoring its enduring relevance and cultural significance.

4. Love is in the Air – $12.9 Million

“Love is in the Air,” an iconic piece by Banksy, originated in 2006 as a powerful manifestation of protest and hope. 

Crafted during a period of social upheaval and political dissent, the artwork depicts a protester throwing a bouquet of flowers instead of a Molotov cocktail, symbolizing the transformative power of love and non-violence in the face of conflict. 

In 2020, Banksy’s “Love is in the Air” fetched an impressive $12.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, making headlines as the first physical artwork sold at an auction accepting payment in cryptocurrency. 

3. Sunflowers from Petrol Station – $14.6 Million

“Sunflowers from Petrol Station” is a striking blend of unconventional beauty and social commentary. Created in 2005, it juxtaposes the iconic sunflower motif with the gritty backdrop of a petrol station, challenging perceptions of urban decay and environmental degradation. 

Reimagining Vincent Van Gogh’s famous series of sunflower paintings in a modern context, this juxtaposition serves as a poignant (and witty) critique of consumerism and its impact on the climate crisis.

Previously owned by well-known fashion designer, Sir Paul Smith, the painting fetched a notable $14.6 million at a Christie’s auction in New York in 2021, attracting attention for its significant sale value and cultural significance. 

2. Game Changer – $23.2 Million

“Game Changer,” a seemingly simple Banksy painting depicting a young boy playing with a nurse superhero toy, emerged as a poignant commentary on contemporary society and its heroes. 

Crafted in 2020, Banksy donated the artwork to Southampton Hospitals Charity in recognition of the front-line workers’ tireless efforts during the first wave of the coronavirus. Game Changer became synonymous with hope and strength, reflecting the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity. 

Exactly one year after the UK’s first national lockdown—on 23 March 2021—the emblematic artwork raised $23.2 million for the NHS during the Christie’s 20th Century Art Evening Sale in London.

1. Love is in the Bin – $25.4 Million

“Love is in the Bin,” a captivating creation by the elusive street artist Banksy, emerged as a symbol of artistic ingenuity and controversy. 

The artwork originally demanded the world’s attention during a dramatic self-destruction during a Sotheby’s auction in London, just moments after being sold for $1.4 million in 2018 as “Girl with Balloon.” 

The artwork, originally depicting a girl with a balloon, was transformed into a partially shredded masterpiece by a hidden shredder embedded within its frame. This act of artistic resistance transformed the piece into a global phenomenon. The sale of the retitled “Love is in the Bin” artwork for $25.4 million in 2021 at Sotheby’s London is a testament to the artist’s defiant messaging and unconventional norms.

The most expensive Banksy’s artworks: Conclusion

Rising to fame in the late 1990s with his distinctive stenciling technique, Banksy’s work is renowned for its sharp political and social commentary, delivered with a dose of humor and poignancy. His art, often appearing overnight on public surfaces around the world, challenges viewers by addressing themes such as war, capitalism, hypocrisy, and freedom.

For now, the most expensive Banksy art pieces sold at auctions are:

1. Love is in the Bin – $25.4 Million
2. Game Changer – $23.2 Million
3. Sunflowers from Petrol Station – $14.6 Million
4. Love is in the Air – $12.9 Million
5. Devolved Parliament – $12.2 Million
6. Show me the Monet – $10.3 Million
7. Forgive Us Our Trespassing – $8.3 million
8. Love is in the Air – $8.1 million
9. Trolley Hunters – $6.7 Million
10. Subject to Availability – $6.3 million
11. Sale Ends Today – $6.1 million
12. Vandalised Oil (Choppers) – $5.7 million
13. Girl with Balloon (Diptych) – $4.2 Million
14. Girl with Balloon, Stencil and spray paint on metal – $3.7 million
15. Original Concept for Barely Legal poster (After Demi Moore) – $3.7 million
16. Keep it Spotless – $1.8 Million

Frequently asked questions about Banksy’s artworks