Banksy Art Record Set

The BBC reports that a painting by cult "guerrilla artist" Banksy has sold for £288,000 at auction - a new record for the artist. Space Girl and Bird, which sold for 20 times its estimate, was commissioned by Blur for their Think Tank album cover. It was sold to a telephone bidder from the US. Earlier, a Banksy self-portrait showing an ape's face fetched £198,000 - five times its estimated value. The previous art record for one of Banksy's works was £102,000, paid for a picture of pensioners bowling with bombs. Banksy, from Bristol, made his name with stencilled graffiti and subversive stunts in public spaces but fiercely guards his true identity. Six telephone bidders battled it out to buy the self-portrait. Another two of his pieces fetched £75,000 and £32,000 during Wednesday's sale at Bonhams auction house in London. (For full source and article click the Headline). Irish Art