Banksy on Sale - Urban Art at Bonhams

Urban Art
Tuesday 24 February 2009
New Bond Street
http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=Urbanart

The auction had far more relaxed atmosphere and setting than the Contemporary Evening Sale at Sotheby's, which I and my friends have attended earlier on the month (Some of the starting prices as low as 500 pounds).

Main pieces were that of Banksy, with his "Anarchy Rat" (below, estimated price £30,000 - 50,000 according to the Bonhams) loudly printed on the cover of the evening's catalogue.

"Anarchy Rat" (2006), Banksy

With increasing number of buyers and collectors (some of which buying for their children's bed room!), have the political claims of "street art" made a success of leaking into the social arena where their voice should be heard the most?

*The last image was taken from the Bonhams web site for non-commercial purposes.
All the other photos are taken by myself otherwise it is stated.