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Banksy has taken the art world by storm with his controversial and politically charged works, but they and him still remain much-loved. His stencil art has not only garnered critical acclaim, but it is far to say that banksy sale prices have reached astronomical prices at auctions. 

Choughed Online Art always has a regular list of authentic banksy art for sale, and here I  take a look at the highest selling Banksy painting and explore what makes it so special. I also touch upon some of Banksy's most famous art pieces that have enraptured the art-buying public worldwide.

Before talking about the specifics of Banksy's highest-selling art, it's important to understand who Banksy is and why his work commands such high prices. Emerging from the Bristol underground scene in the early 1990s, Banksy's art often features satirical social commentary on topics like politics, culture and ethics. His message is undoubtedly stamped with the brand of left-wing ideology. It would be better of course if his work wasn't political, but is it perhaps what makes him the artist he is? His style - based on the French father of the scene, Blek Le Rat, combines graffiti with stencilling techniques, making his work instantly recognisable.

Despite his anonymity, or perhaps because of it, Banksy's art has become a global phenomenon. His pieces are not just confined to gallery walls; they appear on streets, bridges, and buildings around the world. Prints could have been picked up for £30; but now they are worth thousands!

The highest selling Banksy painting to date is "Love is in the Bin." This piece made headlines around the world when it was auctioned at Sotheby's in London in October 2018, but then shredded in full view of the art world's great and the good. Originally titled "Girl with Balloon," this piece was one of Banksy's most famous art pieces even before its dramatic transformation.

"Girl with Balloon" was expected to fetch a high price at auction due to its iconic status. However, what happened next stunned everyone present. As soon as the hammer fell for a winning bid of £1.04 million, an alarm sounded within the frame of the artwork. To shock and bemusement, the canvas began to pass through a shredder concealed within the frame itself.

The shredding process stopped halfway through, leaving only part of the canvas intact while transforming it into a new piece titled "Love is in the Bin." This unexpected turn of events added another layer of intrigue and value to an already iconic work.

In October 2021, "Love is in the Bin" was auctioned again at Sotheby's London for a whopping 18.6 million ($25.4 million), setting a new record for Banksy's work.

Several factors contribute to why "Love is in the Bin" fetched such an astronomical price:

1. Iconic Status: The original "Girl with Balloon" was already one of Banksy's most famous art pieces.
2. Unique Transformation: The shredding incident turned it into a one-of-a-kind artwork.
3. Publicity: The dramatic event garnered global media attention.
4. Cultural Impact: The piece became a symbol of anti-establishment sentiment and artistic rebellion.
5. Rarity: As with all high-value collectibles, rarity plays a significant role in determining price.

While "Love is in the Bin" holds the record for being Banksy's highest selling painting, several other works have also fetched impressive sums:

This large-scale painting depicts chimpanzees sitting in the UK's House of Commons as if they were MPs debating legislation. It sold for £9.9 million at Sotheby's London in 2019.

Perhaps Banksy was jumping on the pot banging bandwagon for the NHS during the Covid pandemic, when he produced 'Game Changer' This piece was a tribute to the seemingly sanctified (but hardworking) healthcare workers. The art depicts a small boy discarding the usual superhero figurine for a nurse figure wearing a cape and mask. 'Game Changer' sold for £14.4 million ($19 million) at Christie's London in March 2021.

Banksy turned in a satirical take on Claude Monet's famous water lilies series, when he used shopping trolleys and traffic cones submerged in water instead of serene lilies. 'Show Me the Monet' sold for £7.6 million ($9 million) at Sotheby's London in October 2020.

Banksy's ability to blend social commentary with striking visual elements has made him one of today's most influential artists globally—and certainly among those commanding top dollar at auctions! While many factors contribute towards making any artwork valuable—rarity being chief among them—Banksy adds another layer through his unique approach towards creating art that resonates across various societal strata worldwide!

Whether you're an avid collector or simply someone who appreciates contemporary artistry steeped heavily within socio-political contexts—there's no denying that owning any piece from Banksy would be considered nothing short than possessing modern-day cultural gold!

New to Banksy, or want to add to your collection?  Take a look at this 2007 plate signed litho print 'Soup Cans'

Sell my Banksy: Got a Banksy print for consignment? Get in touch with me and we can discuss it further.