Ever dreamt of owning an original Bansky? Now's your chance!
Julien's Auctions, the industry-leading entertainment auction house, announced Under Duress: The Banksy Archive of Steve Lazarides Auction, a rare historic opportunity to own an unparalleled collection of over 150 of Banksy's most iconic works, early career sketches, notes, and personal artifacts.
Featured works include his signature hand-cut stencils and proof prints, "Girl With Balloon (aka Balloon Girl)", "Drill Rat," "Antenna Chimpanzee Head," "Laugh Now," "Bomb Hugger," "Love Is In The Air (aka Flower Thrower)," & "Monkey Queen".
Original erotic art concept sketches by Banksy
"Drill Rat" original hand-cut stencil by Banksy
If rare items are more your thing then you can look forward to Banksy's worn Puma "Turf War" sneakers, fifteen "Burner" cellphones used to contact Banksy, and more!
A pair of Puma brand "Clyde" sneakers owned and worn by Banksy
The shoes have "Turf War" embroidered to the heels, and the name "Banksy" embroidered to the interiors, and were part of a limited edition offered to V.I.P.s in conjunction with the "Turf War" exhibition which took place in London in July of 2003.
The collection is owned by Steve Lazarides, who worked with Banksy for 11 years, starting in 1997 as his photographer, later agent, strategist, and even minder, who accompanied Banksy in creating many iconic pieces.
Darren Julien, Co-Founder/Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions said:
This astonishing collection assembled and lovingly kept for over 25 years by his closest associate and partner, Steve Lazarides, offers an unprecedented look at the history and path of the man that would become the world’s most famous and visionary artist named Banksy.
This auction featuring many of Banksy’s earliest works, most recognizable pieces and personal effects is a historic opportunity for the next caretaker to own the most comprehensive and definitive archive of Banksy’s legacy.
Witness Lazarides talk about his collection in this exclusive 30-minute documentary video from Julien's Under Duress: The Banksy Archive of Steve Lazarides below:
For those unfamiliar, Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. Active since the 1990s, his satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. His works of political and social commentary have appeared on streets, walls, and bridges throughout the world. His work grew out of the Bristol underground scene, which involved collaborations between artists and musicians.
Banksy displays his art on publicly visible surfaces such as walls and self-built physical prop pieces. He no longer sells photographs or reproductions of his street graffiti, but his public "installations" are regularly resold, often even by removing the wall on which they were painted. Much of his work can be classified as temporary art.
The sale will occur this Halloween, 31 October, in a live and online auction at Julien's Auctions.