Banksy, the gold standard for guerrilla street artists, is world-renowned for his eye-widening murals that simultaneously make you think and chuckle at their snappy social satire. The response to his pieces is not only due to their arresting visuals but also because of the deeper messages they carry. As the years have gone by, Banksy’s art has been increasing in value wildly, with collectors and fans of Banksy. The unique artists are desperate to get their hands on their own piece of this modern legend. In this post, we take a look at the top five most expensive Banksy artworks ever sold, drawing attention to his pieces that have found homes among the art-rich and famous.

1. "Love is in the Bin" – $25.4 Million

Perhaps the most widely known and hotly debated art sales of all time, “Love is in the Bin” grabbed headlines after it sold for £18.6 million ($25.4 million) at Sotheby’s London in 2018. The artwork originally was “Girl with a Balloon,” one of Banksy’s most famous images. But when the painting went up for auction, it was shredded by a secret mechanism inside the frame — and remained only half in place.

This audacious stunt created a sensation, and the ruined piece became a powerful symbol of Banksy’s rebellious relationship with the art establishment. The sale of “Love is in the Bin” solidified Banksy’s reputation as an artist who seeks to subvert the art market itself. The work soared in value not only because of its aesthetic merits but also for the way it interacted with its own auction ecosystem.

2. "Devolved Parliament" – $12.1 Million

Another record-breaking sale, “Devolved Parliament,” fetched £9.9 million ($12.1 million) in 2019. This work sees the British Parliament replaced by a session of chimpanzees, serving as biting commentary on politics and the current state of governance. The images also resonate with a satirical send-up of the political world, then more grounded in British politics, where there was just as much going wrong.

“Devolved Parliament” was originally produced in 2009, but its sale generated headlines this year. The enormous amounts were a testament to Banksy’s ability to tap into the Zeitgeist, questioning the roles of power and authority in society through his art.

3. "Keep it Spotless" – $7.6 Million

The successful bidder paid an incredible $7.6 million for “Keep it Spotless” at a charity auction sale in 2008, which is still one of the priciest works Banksy has ever sold. The work consists of a hired maid cleaning a black-and-white canvas colored with paint splashes, and serves as both an art critique and commentary on the commercialization of art.

Keep it Spotless is significant because it makes a comment on the art world's fixation with celebrity, money, and perfection. It was the first time a Banksy piece had achieved such dizzying heights on the auction block, cementing his status as one of the most hotly-pursued of contemporary artists.

4. "Rage, the Flower Thrower" – $5.0 Million

“Rage, the Flower Thrower” is one of Banksy’s best-known works, showing a masked protester throwing a bouquet as if it were a Molotov cocktail. The work is a message of peaceful resistance against violence and war. The image sold for a record price of $5.0 million in 2021, by far the highest amount ever paid for a Banksy piece.

What made Rage, and the artist behind it, so popular? It addresses worldwide movements for peace and justice, which makes it attractive to collectors and art lovers. This work is a fine example of Banksy’s skill at encapsulating profound socio-political commentary in an easily-digestible image.

5. "Kissing Coppers" – $5.0 Million

Kissing Coppers, a famous picture of two policemen kissing, was originally painted on the side of a pub in Brighton, England. The art forces a rethinking of conventional ideas about me,n masculinity, power, and human contact. This is illustrated by a copy of the piece,e which was being sold at auction in 2021 and reached a price of $5.0 million, indicative of the growing appetite for Banksy’s unique form of social commentary.

The script has struck a chord with people because of its edgy, controversial look at LGBTQ+ themes and its exegesis over the wheels of powers that keep institutional oppression moving. The marriage of social consciousness and arresting visualhasve helped make “Kissing Coppers” one of Banksy’s most seminal and valuable works.

What Banksy Art is Worth in The Market

The sale costs of Banksy’s pieces have continued to rise over the years, indicating a growing recognition of his artistic impact. Banksy is one of the highest-profile street artists, and his position as such still enables him to get away with challenging the status quo of traditional art market norms, ensuring that his work remains both highly collectible and incredibly valuable.

Collectors and fans looking to purchase rare Banksy items routinely go to trusted platforms that focus on real, verified art. Star Signed has a selection of authenticated Banksy Art to cater to art investors, safe in the knowledge that the items consist of investment pieces both artistically and monetarily.

Conclusion

The five pieces highlighted above demonstrate the profound impact Banksy has had on the contemporary art world. From “Love is in the Bin” to “Kissing Coppers,” these pieces have not only held high market values but also sparked thought and talk about our world, politics, and what art means. And as Banksy’s influence continues to expand, it is evident that his works are only going to become a bigger part of the street art movement and international art world for decades ahead.