A painting by Banksy, a British street artist who famously self-shredded after selling for $1.4 million, might fetch five times that amount at an auction on Thursday.
Sotheby’s in London is auctioning “Love is in the Bin,” with a presale estimate of 4 million to 6 million pounds ($5.5 million to $8.2 million).
It’s a half-shredded canvas with a spray-painted image of a girl reaching for a heart-shaped red balloon in an elaborate frame.
The sculpture, which was previously known as “Girl With Balloon,” was auctioned at Sotheby’s in October 2018. A concealed shredder inserted in the frame by Banksy whirred to life just as an unnamed European bidder placed the winning bid, leaving half the artwork dangling from the frame in strips.
The piece made as part of the stunt is described as “the ultimate Banksy artwork” by Sotheby’s.
Banksy began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has since grown to become one of the world’s most well-known artists. Two male police officers kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiling faces, and a chimp with a sign that reads, “Laugh now, but one day I’ll be in control” are among his witty and often sarcastic drawings.