Detail of version of Banksy’s balloon bought by Chris Martin.
At a Hollywood charity auction over the weekend, lead singer from the band Coldplay Chris Martin, bought a version of British street artist’s new iconic heart shaped balloon, made during his October “residency” in New York.
Banksy’s balloon in situ tag by local aerosol artists. Source: streetartnews.net
Organised by actor Sean Penn, the annual auction to aid victims of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake raised $US6 million and Martin’s Banksy purchase contributed more than one tenth, going under the hammer for $US650,000 ($AUD725,036)
People magazine reported that Martin prevailed in a bidding war with actress Chelsea Handler, with interest also shown by Bette Midler and Kevin Bacon.
Apparently Banksy’s prized wounded balloon had been carved out of its Red Hook location, turning up in December at Art Miami, put up for sale by art dealer Stephan Keszler. However the work remained unsold.
As presented at Art Miami. Photo Ashton Cooper; source artinfo.com
Martin’s version of the paintings is tag-free and done on wood, which implies Banksy repainted the piece for Penn’s charity.
