Art News

First time at auction for Banksy’s 2002 art work, Leopard and Barcode, at Bonhams Urban art sale

LONDON.- An art work entitled Leopard and Barcode by the celebrated graffiti artist, Banksy, is to be sold at Bonhams, New Bond Street, as part of its Urban Art Sale on 29 March 2012. Acquired directly from an exhibition entitled Existencilism at the 33 1/3 Gallery, Los Angeles by the present owner, this is the first time that the work has been seen at auction. One of five editions and signed Banksy on the reverse, it has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £60,000 – 80,000. The sale features seventeen works by Banksy in total, with several outstanding originals. One of the highlights is Girl and Balloon, 2009 (estimate £15,000 – 25,000), which has been sprayed on to the cardboard backing of an Ikea frame and is inscribed ‘Quality’ by the artist on the retailer’s label. Highlights also include Bomb Hugger, 2002 (estimate £40,000 – 60,000) and Love is in the Air, 2002 (estimate £40,000 – 60,000