A bulletproof vest adorned with the Union Jack and created by the elusive artist Banksy is set to be auctioned for as much as £300,000. This unique piece will be the first of five artworks from a collection displayed by Banksy in a Croydon shop window in 2019.
The vest gained notoriety when British rapper Stormzy wore a similar version during his headline performance at the Glastonbury Festival five years ago. Made from a former police vest, it symbolizes the troubling rise of knife crime and gang violence in UK cities.
Emma Baker, head of contemporary art sales at Sotheby’s, noted, “In a way only Banksy can, he dynamically encapsulates a complex social issue through a provocative object.” The artwork will be showcased at the Frieze London contemporary art fair before heading to auction.
Notably, Banksy’s previous work, “Girl with Balloon,” famously self-destructed moments after selling for £1.042 million in 2018, later re-emerging as “Love Is In The Bin” and fetching a staggering £18.6 million at auction in 2021. This latest piece is expected to stir similar excitement and cultural reflection.