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Banksy artwork shreds itself after £1m sale at Sotheby's Banksy artwork shreds itself after £1m sale at Sotheby's
(about 1 hour later)
A stencil spray painting by elusive artist Banksy shredded itself after it was sold for more than £1m.A stencil spray painting by elusive artist Banksy shredded itself after it was sold for more than £1m.
Girl With Balloon, one of Banksy's most widely recognised works, was auctioned by Sotheby's in London. The framed Girl With Balloon, one of the artist's best known works, was auctioned by Sotheby's in London.
The framed piece shows a girl reaching towards a heart-shaped balloon and was the final work sold at the auction. The piece which shows a girl reaching towards a heart-shaped balloon was the final work sold at the auction.
However, in a twist to be expected from street art's most subversive character, the canvas suddenly passed through a shredder installed in the frame. However, moments after the piece went under the hammer, the canvas passed through a shredder that was hidden inside the frame.
Posting a picture of the moment on Instagram, Banksy wrote: "Going, going, gone..."Posting a picture of the moment on Instagram, Banksy wrote: "Going, going, gone..."
The 2006 piece was shown dangling in pieces from the bottom of the frame, after it sold for £1.042m on Friday night. The 2006 piece sold for £1.042m on Friday night.
"It appears we just got Banksy-ed," said Alex Branczik, Sotheby's senior director and head of contemporary art in Europe."It appears we just got Banksy-ed," said Alex Branczik, Sotheby's senior director and head of contemporary art in Europe.
Banksy is a Bristol-born artist whose true identity - despite rampant speculation - has never been officially revealed. The Bristol-born artist's true identity has never been officially revealed.
He came to prominence through a series of graffiti pieces that appeared on buildings across the country, marked by deeply satirical undertones. He came to prominence through a series of graffiti pieces across the country.
Friday's self-destruction was the latest in a long history of anti-establishment statements by the street artist. Among his recent works was the 2015 opening of Dismaland, a Disneyland-esque theme park which he described as a "family theme park unsuitable for children".
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Other recent works included the opening of Dismaland, his dystopian, Disneyland-esque theme park in 2015, which he described as a "family theme park unsuitable for children".
Girl With Balloon originally appeared on a wall in Great Eastern Street, London.Girl With Balloon originally appeared on a wall in Great Eastern Street, London.
In 2017 it was voted the nation's favourite artwork.In 2017 it was voted the nation's favourite artwork.
The gallery version featured spray paint and acrylic on canvas, mounted on a board.The gallery version featured spray paint and acrylic on canvas, mounted on a board.
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