Viral Banksy artwork goes up for auction tonight

How much do you think it will go for?

Author: Abbie ChesherPublished 14th Oct 2021
Last updated 14th Oct 2021

A Banksy artwork called 'Love Is In The Bin' is up for auction tonight, after going viral back in 2018.

The piece has been renamed after the original - called 'Girl With Balloon' - shredded itself after being sold at Sotheby's three years ago.

The artwork caused a social media outburst, with many people questioning whether the Bristol artist was in the room at the time of the sale.

A picture even emerged from the artist's Instagram which captured the moment that the artwork shredded itself.

At the time, the artwork sold for just over ÂŁ1 million, and is expected to fetch between ÂŁ4m and ÂŁ6m tonight - which would be a 500% value increase in just 3 years.

According to Sotheby's, it is "the first artwork in history to have been created live during an auction."

The official listing for the auction on the Sotheby's website describes the piece of art:

"Love Is In The Bin signed on the reverse. Spray paint and acrylic on canvas mounted on board, framed by the artist. Decommissioned, remote controlled shredding mechanism remains in the frame. This work is unique. This work is accompanied by a Pest Control Certificate of Authenticity."

Pest Control is the name of Banksy's representatives, who will often confirm and validate his artwork - with the artist himself being notorious for keeping his identity a secret.

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