Banksy, while best known as a street artist, has also made a name for himself on the art market, where his work sells for astronomical sums. Despite his anti-establishment approach to art, Banksy is now one of the most sought-after artists at art auctions and galleries.

   Banksy at auctions

  Banksy became famous in the art auction world when his painting "Devolved Parliament," a satirical depiction of the British Parliament filled with monkeys, was sold for a record £12.1 million in 2019 at a Sotheby's auction. It was Banksy's highest achievement at auction to date.

  Another well-known Banksy work that has achieved a high price at auction is "Girl with Balloon." In 2018, the artist shocked the art world when the painting was destroyed shortly after it sold for more than £1 million at a Sotheby's auction. The painting suddenly went through a paper shredder hidden in the frame, just after the gavel announced the sale.

   Banksy in the galleries

  Despite his roots as a street artist, Banksy's work is also displayed in galleries around the world. His first unofficial retrospective exhibition took place at the MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles in 2006, and since then his work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, both group and solo.

  However, Banksy is a well-known critic of the commercialization of art, as he demonstrated in 2015 when he opened "Dismaland," a temporary amusement park that parodied the commercial culture of entertainment and consumption. Banksy often uses his exhibition platforms to satirically comment on the commercialization of art and other social issues.

   Controversy

  Despite Banksy's recognition and the high prices of his works, some criticize his presence in the art market, arguing that the commercialization of his works undermines their anti-establishment and subversive message. Banksy himself seems to have ambivalent feelings about his role in the art market, as he demonstrates in practices such as destroying his painting at auction.

  In conclusion, although Banksy is best known as a street artist, he has also gained a significant position in the art market. His works are now some of the most desirable and expensive in the world, which shows how much influence he has on contemporary art. But at the same time, Banksy continues to provoke and challenge the conventions of the art market, highlighting his anti-establishment roots and critical view of contemporary society.