Banksy’s Refugee ‘Dream Boat’ From ‘Dismaland’ Theme Park Heads For Sale

At the upcoming installation of Context Art Miami, buyers could find themselves clamoring for Dream Boat—a sculpture by Banksy first unveiled at the artist’s 2015 popup theme park Dismaland. 

Then, the piece had been part of a coin-operated game in which visitors could try their hand at chasing the Dream Boat with police boats in an attempt to catch the fleeing refugees. 

It resurfaced in 2018, when the elusive street artist raffled off the piece for just £2 (US$2.42) on Instagram. The sculpture went to the person who provided the closest guess to the actual weight of the work. 

Now, the one-meter-long (3.3-f00t-long) artwork, which depicts individually-painted humans, will be sold by the winner to raise funds for Choose Love, an organization providing humanitarian aid and advocacy for refugees worldwide. 

According to Ballon Rouge Art Advisory, the “poignant piece” will be sold along with full certification from Banksy’s own Pest Control Office to confirm the work’s authenticity. 

“Banksy is a pioneer in creating art that goes beyond social commentary to become a proactive tool in the fight for social change and the causes it criticizes,” remarked Jon Bucci, President of Ballon Rouge Art Advisory. 

Dream Boat by Banksy will be offered on sale as part of the S16 Collection at Context Miami, running now till December 4, 2022. 

[via Artnet News and Ballon Rouge Art Advisory, cover image via Ballon Rouge Art Advisory / Helene Toresdotter]