Banksy Subverts Galleries, Vandals, Sells in Central Park

Banksy held an unannounced sale of his artwork, original signed Banksy canvases for $60 each in Central Park, for seven hours on Saturday October 12. But only eight pieces were sold, and some were haggled down to half price. One lucky tourist from Chicago scored four.

How does this make collectors who chisel out chunks of walls and pay steep prices in galleries feel? Does this lower Bansky’s value, or raise it? Will this increase the sales of sidewalk art in the hopes it’s really a famous artist? And does famous-truck-driver-turned three-time-Pulitzer-Prize-nominated-art critic Jerry Saltz who once offered sex or money for a fake Gerhard Richter feel bummed out to have missed this opportunity?

The prankster artist posted photos to prove the art was really his and this video on his website, along with the caveat:

Please note: This was a one off. The stall will not be there again today.