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Banksy (British, b. 1975) ‘Barcode Shark,’ 2002, spray paint stenciled on canvas, signed with stencil on overlap, 24 inches by 24 inches, est. $63,200-$94,700. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.

Bloomsbury Auctions to offer major urban art Oct. 21

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

Banksy (British, b. 1975) ‘Barcode Shark,’ 2002, spray paint stenciled on canvas, signed with stencil on overlap, 24 inches by 24 inches, est. $63,200-$94,700. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
Banksy (British, b. 1975) ‘Barcode Shark,’ 2002, spray paint stenciled on canvas, signed with stencil on overlap, 24 inches by 24 inches, est. $63,200-$94,700. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
LONDON – After the sale of Damien Hirst’s $19,000 doodle given as a tip to a London taxi driver, Bloomsbury Auctions received a wave of such tips and tokens. Among the 198 lots of the major cutting-edge artists of today, Bloomsbury’s Urban Contemporary sale on Oct. 21 offers Hirst fans a choice of nine original drawings (as well as etchings and silkscreens printed in colors), most of which have never been on the market before.

LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

While in a bar in Little Italy, Soho, Hirst was spotted by three friends slightly the worse for wear, who thought he was the footballer Denis Wise. Hirst found this amusing, and to prove it was he, gave them a quick sketch, which is now estimated at $950-$1,250. Another Hirst item is a signed and illustrated copy of his famous Sotheby sale of 2008, which he gave to the doorman of his favorite restaurant (est. $2,370-$3,150). Don the Doorman is donating the proceeds of the catalog to EGAR, a charity set up to enable educational games and resources for youth clubs and schools.

An unusual and interesting facet of Bloomsbury’s Urban Contemporary sale is that there are six lots from this summer’s urban art street party in EC1. Twenty-five of Europe’s leading urban artists imaginatively filled empty wall spaces in Whitecross Street and six have now donated their works to support the charity SHP, which provides help for vulnerable young people suffering from substance abuse and mental ill-health. On offer are signed pieces by the influential Eelus, Xenz, Paul Insect and Gavin Turk with prices ranging from $1,580-$9,470.

Among the other star items in the sale is a group of Banksy pieces, the focal point being the diptych of Girl with a Red Balloon. This iconic image is stencil spray paint on double canvas, signed, dated and numbered 10/25, and it has the added ingredient of having a pukka provenance of the Lazarides Gallery and the certificate of authenticity from Pest Control. It is expected to fetch $63,100-$94,700.

Another important item is Gary Popstar, 1998 by Julian Opie, a former trustee of the Tate and regarded as one of the most significant artists of his generation. This is one of his first portraits and the only one he has ever produced in black and white. Gary Cobain was Opie’s flat mate and one half of the duo The Future Sound of London. Influenced by Patrick Caulfield, Opie normally uses computerized imagery which makes this signed and titled portrait painting in vinyl on vinyl, an especially sought-after item (est. $23,700-$31,600).

For more information visit Bloomsbury’s Web site at www.bloomsburyauctions.com

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Banksy (British, b. 1975) ‘Girl With A Red Balloon (Diptych),’ 2006, stencil spray paint on double canvas, one signed, dated and numbered 10/25, the other with stencil spray paint signature to the overlap, each 12 inches by 12 inches, est. $47,400-$78,900. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
Banksy (British, b. 1975) ‘Girl With A Red Balloon (Diptych),’ 2006, stencil spray paint on double canvas, one signed, dated and numbered 10/25, the other with stencil spray paint signature to the overlap, each 12 inches by 12 inches, est. $47,400-$78,900. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
Julian Opie (British b.1958) ‘Garry Popstar,’1998, vinyl on vinyl canvas, unframed, signed, titled and dated verso in black ink, 76 inches by 64 inches, est. $23,700-$31,600. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
Julian Opie (British b.1958) ‘Garry Popstar,’1998, vinyl on vinyl canvas, unframed, signed, titled and dated verso in black ink, 76 inches by 64 inches, est. $23,700-$31,600. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
LA II (Angel Ortiz) (American, b. 1967) and Keith Haring (American, 1958-1990) attributed, untitled, acrylic and marker pen on board, framed, 38 inches by 49 3/4 inches, $18,950-$23,700. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
LA II (Angel Ortiz) (American, b. 1967) and Keith Haring (American, 1958-1990) attributed, untitled, acrylic and marker pen on board, framed, 38 inches by 49 3/4 inches, $18,950-$23,700. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
Banksy (British, b. 1975) and Peter Kennard (British, b.1949) ‘Watch Tower,’ 2007, wood, acrylic, olive leaves and Coke can sculpture, unique work, signed by Banksy and Peter Kennard on reverse, 10 inches by 6 inches, est. $15,800-$23,700. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.
Banksy (British, b. 1975) and Peter Kennard (British, b.1949) ‘Watch Tower,’ 2007, wood, acrylic, olive leaves and Coke can sculpture, unique work, signed by Banksy and Peter Kennard on reverse, 10 inches by 6 inches, est. $15,800-$23,700. Image courtesy of Bloomsbury Auctions.