Banksy
Covered by droit de suite
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"Girl with Balloon"
Screenprint in colours, 2004, published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blind stamp, numbered in pencil 363/600. S. 70 x 50 cm. This work is accompanied by certificate of authenticity issued by Pest Control Office.
Provenance
Acquired at Allmänna Galleriet, Stockholm, 2004/2005.
Private collection, Sweden.
More information
It is one of the most famous motifs of Banksy and possibly one of the most iconic artworks of the 21st century, Banksy – ”Girl with Balloon”. Based on a stencil painting that first appeared on the streets of London in 2002 along with the message “There is always hope”, it has since been elected as the favourite work of art in Britain in a Samsung poll. Banksy is a provocative artist who, through his street art, is transmitting a message to humanity. It seems that the more he takes sides the more his popularity rises.
Bukowskis has this spring once again been given the privilige to present one of Banksys most sought-after prints, originaly included in the famed exhibition at Allmäna Galleriet in Stockholm in the mid 00’s.
The iconic image never stops to explore new ground and mesmerize collectors and art lovers, one version on canvas sold at auction in 2018 for over £1 million, moments after selling it started to automatically self-destruct through a hidden shredding mechanism that had been placed in the frame by the artist years before. Making headlines the world over, appropriately renamed Love is in the Bin by Banksy afterwards, sold last year for £18.5 million.
Today, Girl with Balloon is more relevant motif than ever, a reminder that hope remains the main message of this iconic work, which is also what gives it the timelessness that is essential to all great and iconic artworks.
Artist
Banksy is a pseudonym for an English anonymous street-art artist. He is considered one of the world's most popular and wellknown artists. His art usually comments on current events, politics and morality. One of his most popular motifs, "Girl with Balloon", a version on canvas sold at auction in 2018 for over £1 million, moments after selling it started to automatically self-destruct through a hidden shredding mechanism that had been placed in the frame by the artist years before. Making headlines the world over, appropriately renamed "Love is in the Bin" by Banksy afterwards, sold again in 2021 for £18.5 million.
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