LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA–Julian’s Auctions recent street art sale brought together an amazing collection of Banksy artworks. The auction which realized more than $1.3 million in the sale also included artworks by other important street artists and contemporary art. Included in the street art and contemporary art auction were works by Shepard Fairey, RETNA, Damien Hirst, Alec Monopoly, KAI, DOC, Gregory Siff, Ben Eine, Rene Gagnon, Zevs, D*Face, Faile, Kaws, Ludo, Dolk, Saber, Nick Walker, and Mar.
Banksy Shines Street Art Auction
Although works by many of the street artists made a significant impact at the auction, Banksy artworks put collectors on the edge of their seats at the auction. One of his artworks that captivated collectors was Happy Coopers. The 2002 aerosol stencil depicts a squadron of choppers in a tactical attack formation. On the lead chopper is a pink bow. The work borders on the interplay of femininity and masculinity. A bundle of contradictions, the artwork questions the motive of the helicopters in a way that plays on both sides of war and peace. The artwork was created on the board originally used to prevent the public from accessing a construction site in London at the Whitecross Street Market in 2002. It sold for $140,800.