Banksy artwork set to be auctioned

Tuesday 24th February 2009

Six prints of Kate Moss by Bristol-based graffiti artist Banksy are expected to fetch up to £150,000 when they are sold at auction.

The six prints, inspired by Andy Warhol’s image of Marilyn Monroe, were produced in a limited run of 20 sets and are among 78 lots being sold at Bonhams auction house in London.

Their value is increased because most were sold individually and complete sets are scarce.

Also for sale is another Banksy work, Nola Pink, showing a girl being rained upon beneath an umbrella.

Painted to commemorate the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, it is expected to sell for up to £80,000.

Head of Bonhams Urban Art Department Gareth Williams said: “The urban art market remains buoyant judging by the interest this sale has aroused once more and we are pleased to continue to offer significant works by the most important artists in this field.”

Also included in the auction are 11 works being sold on behalf of the Prostate Cancer Charity.

They were created as part of the Artists 11 project which was set up to highlight the fact one in 11 British men will contract this form of cancer.

Bonham’s Urban Art specialist Alan Montgomery said: “Bonhams is pleased to be involved in the sale of these 11 works, particularly in light of the quality and range of the artists’ work featured.

“We expect a great deal of interest in the sale. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK with 35,000 diagnosed every year.”