Kissing Coppers
The stencil mural appeared on the wall of the Prince Albert pub, in Trafalgar Street, in 2004 but was repeatedly vandalised and daubed with graffiti until it was removed in 2014. Part of the Robbie Williams collection of three stellar Banksy originals, this version of Kissing Coppers was made by Banksy in 2005. The painting, which is due to be sold by auctioneer Sotheby’s, in London, on Wednesday 2 March, has been given an estimated value of £2.5 million to £3.5 million. The pop star is also selling a version of Girl with Balloon, depicted on metal, with an estimated value of £2 million to £3 million, the first of its kind to appear at auction. The last piece from the Take That singer is a Vandalised Oils (Choppers). It depicts two helicopters disrupting a pastoral scene from the artist’s Vandalised Oils series – and is expected to fetch £2.5 million to £3.5 million.
A larger version of Kissing Coppers, measuring 127 x 101 cm, appeared at Andipa some years ago. The work drew crowds both nationally and internationally who were keen to see the unique work up close. On the piece, Director Acoris Andipa says:
“Since the early days in dealing in Banksy his rise has been meteoric as, in the past, collecting Banksy would be more for street or urban art collectors. Since then, many of our traditional Picasso or Matisse collectors have acquired important paintings by the artist as a means to expand their impressive collections with the artist of our generation. Kissing Coppers, for me, comes at a time where Banksy was producing epic, large works that had a street connection.”
Love Is In The Air (Canvas)
Moving to one of Banksy’s most beloved images, a beautiful Love Is In The Air canvas is appearing at Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale also on the 2nd of March. The motif, iconic, cutting and pure, along with Girl with Balloon, is quite probably one of the most sought after. During the course of the last 15 years, Andipa have had the pleasure to have enjoyed many of the canvas LITTA paintings that vary in size and material used. Historically, our townhouse has always sought the larger sized images (90 x 90cm) yet the example appearing at Christie’s (whilst smaller) lacks none of the beauty of its larger, sister works. Director, Acoris Andipa shares his enjoyment of the piece:
“Love Is In The Air'' is one of those images I could stare at all day. I have owned both the paintings and prints; they have become magical, almost mythical, a joy to watch people experience enjoying this work. Interplay, wit and subversion perfectly marry to create a work that conveys such deep and conflicting emotions in such a seemingly simple way. LITTA shows the sensitive yet brutal brilliance of Banksy in a way that grows upon you each time you look at the artwork.”
Go Flock Yourself
Appearing at Phillips’ 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale in London on the 3rd of March, Go Flock Yourself is Banksy at his finest. Whilst a lesser-known work to the wider collector, Go Flock Yourself’s charm is in its very act of creation and defiance. Go Flock Yourself shows a young man in the act of vandalising a wall in a bright, bubble-gum pink fleur-de-lis pattern. Elevating the dark grey background, the revolutionary gesture explodes with colour and a frantic energy that brings life and art to the drab and the dreary. One of the finest pieces to have appeared at Andipa in our townhouse, Go Flock Yourself fits within the wider narrative of anti-establishment views that Banksy so cleverly crafts into his works.
“With Go Flock Yourself, what caught my attention was that I felt that it was almost like pulling a curtain down and seeing the artist himself. Is it a quasi-self-portrait? Do we get to the heart of the artist? Much discussion can always be had in terms of interpreting Banksy’s prolific output but I prefer to focus on the composition, the themes and the colour. Bright, bold, big and brash. What isn’t there to love about this piece? It has a rawness and elegance that I simply adore” explains Acoris.
For more information about any of the works featured and our Banksy original paintings for sale and Banksy prints for sale, contact our townhouse via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7581 1244.