Sunday, 19 May 2024

Banksy’s most famous art – from the Parliament chimpanzees to There is Always Hope – The Sun

BANKSY is an elusive British graffiti artist whose real identity has never been revealed but his works now sell for several million pounds each.

The world-famous artist usually creates his street art under the cover of darkness but we look at some of his greatest works.

What are Banksy's most famous art works?

While Banksy is said to have travelled the world to create his art he is thought to have created most of his work in the UK, and more than 120 works have been attributed to him over three decades.

There is Always Hope – London

Arguably Banksy’s most iconic piece, it appeared on the South Bank, London, in around 2002.

The title is written behind a young girl seen reaching for a balloon in the shape of a heart.

Banksy's artwork titled Girl With Balloon – a variation on the original – was up for auction at Sotheby's in London when it self-destructed.

A secret shredder destroyed the painting after it sold for £1million.

Art experts say it is now worth double.

Devolved Parliament

Bansky's 13ft wide painting of chimpanzees in the House of Commons hit the headlines in October 2019 when it sold at auction for £9.9million.

Its sale shattered the 2008 record for a Banksy artwork which was £1.4million for a Damien Hirst “spot” painting stencilled over by the graffiti artist.

The work was first unveiled as part of his exhibition vs Bristol Museum in 2009.

Banksy reacted on Instagram to the sale and said: “Record price for a Banksy painting set at auction tonight.

“Shame I didn’t still own it.”

EU flag – Dover

One of the guerrilla artist's latest work is a Brexit-inspired piece erected in Dover in May 2017.

It features a workman on a ladder removing one of the bright yellow stars following Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

GCHQ Government Spies Telephone Box – Cheltenham

In April 2014, he created a piece near to GCHQ in Cheltenham of three men wearing sunglasses and using listening devices to snoop on a telephone box.

It followed revelations from files leaked by former CIA agent Edward Snowden about the surveillance techniques used by intelligence agencies.

Draw The Raised Bridge – Hull

This work shows a young boy wearing a helmet and cape alongside the words "Draw the raised bridge" and appeared in January, 2018.

The original artwork was destroyed in three days but soon restored, with the council saying it will protect the painting.

In July 2018 it was revealed the artwork was being moved into storage ahead of urgent works.

Seasons Greetings – Port Talbot

Banksy visited Port Talbot on the weekend of December 15 and 16, 2018, to paint a mural on a garage wall.

The image – stencilled on two sides of the garage – appears to show a little boy playing in the snow from one angle.

The artist confirmed the art was his by posting a video of it captioned "season's greetings" on Instagram.

Banksy's graffiti is thought to be a reference to the steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales, which belch soot and ash over nearby homes.

Houses in the area were left coated in black dust over the summer – sparking fears over the long-term health impact.

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