Banksy-‘Vandalized’ Painting Highlighting Climate Change Could Fetch Over US$4M
Image via Bruno Mameli / Shutterstock.com
Back in March, Banksy’s COVID-themed painting, Game Changer, was sold for a record-breaking £16.7 million (US$23.1 million), which was the most anyone had ever paid for a Banksy. Now, another artwork by the renowned artist is going under the hammer for an estimated £3 million to £5 million (US$4 million to US$6.9 million).
Interesting to note, is that according to Dazed, the Game Changer piece had also been estimated to be sold for a similar price, but far surpassed the record on the day of the auction.
Titled Subject to Availability, the 2009 piece features a replication of an 1890 oil painting by Albert Bierstadt, depicting Mount Rainier National Park. The work’s standout feature, however, is Banky’s added note at the bottom. Highlighting the urgency of climate change, Banksy adds an asterisk to the painting, saying “Subject to availability for a limited period only.”
The artwork, which was included in Banksy’s legendary exhibition at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, – the only full museum exhibition authorized by the artist – will be one of the headliners of Christie’s 20th Century Sale on June 30 in London.
“Banksy’s witty dialogue with the art historical canon brings the painting sharply into the current context of the global climate crisis,” Christie’s co-head of postwar and contemporary art Katherine Arnold told Artnet News.
Similar to Banksy who has made works about climate change and pollution, the artist behind the original painting, Bierstadt, was also concerned about the environment during the industrial revolution.
Adding to the story is Banky’s seemingly prophetic abilities. “10 years on from its creation, the idyllic park it depicts has already been closed to the public since February 2020 due to severe flooding and landslides,” Arnold added.
Subject to Availability is on view at Christie’s King Street location until May 7 as part of the exhibition Off the Wall: Basquiat to Banksy.
"Subject to Availability", a Banksy painting will be a highlight of @ChristiesInc's June sales. The painting, which is from a series of oil paintings that were “vandalized” by the artist is estimated at between $4 million and $6.9 million. https://t.co/QaYSvMjbNN pic.twitter.com/7aGcj1bNB1
— One Art Nation (@oneartnation) April 13, 2021
[via Artnet News and Dazed, cover image via Bruno Mameli / Shutterstock.com]
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