LONDON β A Banksy artwork that sensationally self-shredded just after it sold for $1.4 million is up for sale again β at several times the previous price.
Auctioneer Sothebyβs said Friday that βLove is in the Binβ will be offered at a sale in London on Oct. 14. The piece has a pre-sale estimate of 4 million pounds to 6 million pounds ($5.5 million to $8.3 million).
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It consists of a half-shredded canvas bearing a spray-painted image of a girl reaching for a heart-shaped red balloon.
Then known as βGirl With Balloon,β the work was sold at Sothebyβs in October 2018. Just as an anonymous European buyer made the winning bid, a hidden shredder embedded in the frame by Banksy whirred to life, leaving half the canvas hanging from the frame in strips.
The buyer decided to go through with the purchase β a decision that would be vindicated if the picture achieves its estimated price.
Alex Branczik, Sothebyβs chairman of Modern and Contemporary Art, described βLove is in the Binβ as βthe ultimate Banksy artwork and a true icon of recent art history.β
βLove is in the Bin was born of the most spectacular artistic happening of the 21st century,β he said. βWhen βGirl With Balloonβ βself-destructedβ in our saleroom, Banksy sparked a global sensation that has since become a cultural phenomenon.β
The artwork will travel and go on public display in London, Hong Kong, Taipei and New York ahead of its sale next month.
Bansky, who has never confirmed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the worldβs best-known artists. His mischievous and often satirical images include two policemen kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, βLaugh now, but one day Iβll be in charge.β
βGirl With Balloonβ was originally stenciled on a wall in east London and has been endlessly reproduced, becoming one of Banksyβs best-known images.