Banksy’s Shredded Artwork “Love Is in the Bin” Sells for Record $25.4M — A Moment That Shook the Art World

What began as a rebellious prank has officially become a defining moment in modern art history. Banksy’s shredded painting, famously known as “Love Is in the Bin,” has just sold at Sotheby’s for a staggering US $25.4 million (NZD $43.4 million) — setting a new auction record for the elusive street artist.

Originally unveiled in 2018 as “Girl With Balloon,” the piece self-destructed immediately after being sold for £1.04 million. A hidden shredder inside the frame, secretly installed by Banksy himself, stunned the art world as the canvas slid halfway through the blades in real time. That moment — half-performance art, half-subversive protest — went viral worldwide.

Now, just a few years later, the partially shredded canvas has become even more valuable, with bidders from around the globe fighting for what is now viewed as a conceptual masterpiece. The final price? A jaw-dropping £18.58 million (US $25.4M) — nearly 20 times the original sale price.

For New Zealand collectors, artists, and art lovers, this sale speaks volumes. It challenges traditional views on value, permanence, and what counts as “finished” in art. In a country where creativity often embraces imperfection and provocation, Banksy’s bold statement resonates deeply. Aotearoa’s own street art scene — from the murals of Christchurch to the political stencils in Wellington — thrives on similar ideals of disruption, accessibility, and emotional impact.

Banksy’s work reminds us that art doesn’t just belong in galleries. It lives, it moves, it protests. And sometimes — it shreds itself.

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