Dull gray walls always made people sad. Therefore, Neanderthals decorated the vaults of caves with drawings, the Egyptians decorated the corridors of the great pyramids, and modern street artists undertake to fill the walls of houses, fences and other surfaces with meaning.
Surprisingly, graffiti brings a lot of money to many enthusiastic masters. So, the British auction Bonhams even holds separate auctions for street artists. And Forbes published the Top 10, which included the most expensive graffiti. This ten we offer to your attention today.
10. Chaz Bohorkez, Se? Or Suerte
This 1979 graffiti was sold in October 2012 for $ 50,000. The author of the drawing is one of the street veterans. In the works of Bohorkez there are echoes of Mexican culture. Chaz's works are often shown at solo and group exhibitions around the world.
9. JR, Street Kid, Favela Morro da Providencia, Brasil
The French artist does not reveal his full name, but the initials of JR have already become widely known to fans of graffiti. The author calls himself “photograffeur”, i.e. graffiti photographer. In 2011, JR's work left the auction for $ 50,333.
8. Fairy Shepard, Duality of Humanity 2
American artist Fairy Shepard is famous for creating portraits of Barack Obama for the 2008 election campaign. Shepard's works are often shown at the Museum of Modern Art, and the police have repeatedly detained the master for painting public buildings and structures. The work presented in our top ten was sold for $ 52,350.
7. Nick Walker, The Morning After
In October 2008, Walker graffiti sold for $ 54,250. Nick is the founder of the UK Graffiti School. Today, the artist’s work is lined up by collectors.
6. Adam Neath, The Apprentice
The author of this work lives and works in London. During the night, Adam creates up to 20 different works, many of which are then washed off and painted over the utilities of the British capital. It’s just that the poor people don’t know that drawing Nita left the auction for $ 69 692.
5. Nick Walker, Moona Lisa
Another work of Nick Walker in the top ten most expensive graffiti presents the famous Gioconda in a not very attractive form. The picture caused a flurry of criticism, but was bought at auction for $ 87,116.
4. Os Gemeos, O Aniversario da Meretris
Os Gemeos is not one artist, but an art group consisting of twin brothers living in Sao Paulo. The picture was sold for $ 118,171. The brothers have a distinctive feature - the yellow faces of the characters. By order of the Sao Paulo government, Os Gemeos painted the São Paulo metro cars.
3. Adam Neath, Suicide Bomber
In all, over the years, 103 works of Adam Nit were sold at auctions. In December 2007, at Sotheby’s, an unknown fan acquired the presented graffiti for $ 126,612.
2. Banksy, Simple Intelligence Testing
Despite the fact that one of the most famous graffiti artists is regularly auctioned, he is skeptical of those who purchase his work. Once Banksy even drew a parody of his own picture and signed it: "I can’t believe that some idiots really bought this shit." The Intelligence Test presented here was sold for $ 1,265,120.
1. Banksy, Keep It Spotless
The most expensive graffiti in history costs $ 1,870,000. The British artist is known not only for his works, but also for shocking tricks. For example, one day he sent a truck loaded with plush cows, pigs, and sheep to a Brooklyn hunting factory.
