Banksy Monkey (Devolved) Parliament sells for £9.9Million

[Coach]

http://instagr.am/p/B2Yuud9hP1f

[Coach]

At Sotheby’s.

I’d imagine that this will break the record for a Banksy work.
Assuming it’s the piece from Bristol Museum show, not only is it fabulous, but it’s also huge!

[Coach]

Estimate of £1.5-2 million. I’d guess around £3m.

[mack]

Sept 14, 2019 23:52:22 GMT 1 Coach said:

Estimate of £1.5-2 million. I’d guess around £3m.

Sounds reasonable, especially considering the timing of the auction

[Pawel]

Sept 14, 2019 23:52:22 GMT 1 Coach said:

Estimate of £1.5-2 million. I’d guess around £3m.

I'd guess around £10m

[jB]

Are there two versions of this work? One with the lights on and one with the lights off? This looks to be the one that was displayed at the Bristol Museum.

[Fake]

I will be bidding on this for sure!

[Lazarus II]

Sept 15, 2019 0:00:36 GMT 1 mack said:

Sept 14, 2019 23:52:22 GMT 1 Coach said:

Estimate of £1.5-2 million. I’d guess around £3m.

Sounds reasonable, especially considering the timing of the auction

reasonable at £3M, would love any of your cast offs 😊

[lee3]

Sept 15, 2019 17:43:41 GMT 1 jB said:

Are there two versions of this work? One with the lights on and one with the lights off? This looks to be the one that was displayed at the Bristol Museum.

Wow, keen eye.  I hadn't noticed that previously.  I'd speculate this a case of the artist performing substantial rework post show as he did with many other works from the museum but only PC would know for certain.  It looks far better with the lights off to me. 

[Fast Eddie]

I naively thought this was a gift to the Bristol Museum... This and the Volvo truck should be available for all to see.

[Coach]

Sept 15, 2019 19:29:51 GMT 1 Fast Eddie said:

I naively thought this was a gift to the Bristol Museum... This and the Volvo truck should be available for all to see.

I don’t know who owns it or who is selling it, but tend to take the view that an artist should always be able to sell their work. But I do agree with you. I would hope that this is an occasion where a wealthy museum can buy it. Perhaps it’s a good opportunity for lottery funding to be put to good use.

[Jeezuz Jones Snr]

The Tate should buy it 👍

[19818914]

I was there a few months ago. The canvas is a high quality print with hand finished elements.

That’s what the information read. However, it was so well done I could not distinguish print from paint.

[Adam The Collector]

Can’t wait to watch this one set fire upon the sound of the hammer. Surely will set a new record given its monstrous size!

[Coach]

Sept 15, 2019 21:16:26 GMT 1 19818914 said:

I was there a few months ago. The canvas is a high quality print with hand finished elements.

That’s what the information read. However, it was so well done I could not distinguish print from paint.

This might suggest it’s a large hand finished print.
I don’t think that’s the case.

[Extra Ball]

damn that you're handsome

[19818914]

Sept 15, 2019 21:35:05 GMT 1 Coach said:

Sept 15, 2019 21:16:26 GMT 1 19818914 said:

I was there a few months ago. The canvas is a high quality print with hand finished elements.

That’s what the information read. However, it was so well done I could not distinguish print from paint.

This might suggest it’s a large hand finished print.
I don’t think that’s the case.

It was on the museum placard but perhaps
Worded differently. I think it was printed image and paint. I should have snapped a pic.

[Viking Surfer]

One of the greatest Banksy originals of all time.

I think it will fetch 6.5m.

[Coach]

Sept 15, 2019 21:49:12 GMT 1 19818914 said:

Sept 15, 2019 21:35:05 GMT 1 Coach said:

This might suggest it’s a large hand finished print.
I don’t think that’s the case.

It was on the museum placard but perhaps
Worded differently. I think it was printed image and paint. I should have snapped a pic.

It’s not at all clear to me.
I know the sign you mean.
But then, this is what Sotheby’s say on their website:

signed; signed, dated 09 on the reverse and variously inscribed on the stretcher
oil on canvas
276 by 446 cm. 108 5/8 by 175 1/2 in.

www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/contemporary-art-evening-auction-l19024/lot.28.html?locale=en

[19818914]

Sept 15, 2019 22:33:32 GMT 1 Coach said:

Sept 15, 2019 21:49:12 GMT 1 19818914 said:

It was on the museum placard but perhaps
Worded differently. I think it was printed image and paint. I should have snapped a pic.

It’s not at all clear to me.
I know the sign you mean.
But then, this is what Sotheby’s say on their website:

signed; signed, dated 09 on the reverse and variously inscribed on the stretcher
oil on canvas
276 by 446 cm. 108 5/8 by 175 1/2 in.

www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/contemporary-art-evening-auction-l19024/lot.28.html?locale=en

Thanks. You know what it could be? - I used to do this in art school. I’d blow up a collage -created in photoshop - on the photocopier and glue it on to a board. Then I’d paint right over it. The photocopy would be completely covered by the paint by the time i was finished. It was a way to streamline my illustration projects. Perhaps it was printed on canvas as a guide and then completely painted over.

[Coach]

Sept 15, 2019 22:45:17 GMT 1 19818914 said:

Sept 15, 2019 22:33:32 GMT 1 Coach said:

It’s not at all clear to me.
I know the sign you mean.
But then, this is what Sotheby’s say on their website:

signed; signed, dated 09 on the reverse and variously inscribed on the stretcher
oil on canvas
276 by 446 cm. 108 5/8 by 175 1/2 in.

www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/contemporary-art-evening-auction-l19024/lot.28.html?locale=en

Thanks. You know what it could be? - I used to do this in art school. I’d blow up a collage -created in photoshop - on the photocopier and glue it on to a board. Then I’d paint right over it. The photocopy would be completely covered by the paint by the time i was finished. It was a way to streamline my illustration projects. Perhaps it was printed on canvas as a guide and then completely painted over.

The same thing has occurred to me; but I do not know.

[met]

Sept 15, 2019 19:17:34 GMT 1 lee3 said:

Sept 15, 2019 17:43:41 GMT 1 jB said:

Are there two versions of this work? One with the lights on and one with the lights off? This looks to be the one that was displayed at the Bristol Museum.

Wow, keen eye.  I hadn't noticed that previously.  I'd speculate this a case of the artist performing substantial rework post show as he did with many other works from the museum but only PC would know for certain.  It looks far better with the lights off to me.

Changes to the lighting were mentioned by hnkpnk as well in this post from the thread titled Monkey Parliament back in Bristol*.

The artwork had by this point also been renamed Devolved Parliament.

Not only are the lights off, the pendant lamps were actually painted out. These were probably seen as leading the viewer's eye away from the main focal point.



The Commons Chamber, Palace of Westminster




Monkey Parliament, Bristol Museum, 2009




Devolved Parliament, Bristol Museum, 2019




__________


A separate aspect has yet to be discussed. I'm unclear about whether it represents a conscious and deliberate decision by Banksy, or if it was done without full consideration to the layout of the Commons Chamber.

Besides the floor of the chamber which features Members of Parliament, the Visitors' Gallery — an area reserved for members of the public — is also occupied by apes.



Devolved Parliament (detail of Visitors' Gallery), Bristol Museum, 2019

[covertshadowops]

Could we see another stunt??? It was Sothebys last time with the “shredding “ fisaco.

I think it could be on the cards........ (I called it first!)

[Coach]

Sept 15, 2019 23:18:42 GMT 1 met said:

Sept 15, 2019 19:17:34 GMT 1 lee3 said:

Wow, keen eye.  I hadn't noticed that previously.  I'd speculate this a case of the artist performing substantial rework post show as he did with many other works from the museum but only PC would know for certain.  It looks far better with the lights off to me.

Changes to the lighting were mentioned by hnkpnk as well in this post from the thread titled Monkey Parliament back in Bristol*.

The artwork had by this point also been renamed Devolved Parliament.

Not only are the lights off, the pendant lamps were actually painted out. These were probably seen as leading the viewer's eye away from the main focal point.



The Commons Chamber, Palace of Westminster




Monkey Parliament, Bristol Museum, 2009




Devolved Parliament, Bristol Museum, 2019




__________


A separate aspect has yet to be discussed. I'm unclear about whether it represents a conscious and deliberate decision by Banksy, or if it was done without full consideration to the layout of the Commons Chamber.

Besides the floor of the chamber which features Members of Parliament, the Visitors' Gallery — an area reserved for members of the public — is also occupied by apes.



Devolved Parliament (detail of Visitors' Gallery), Bristol Museum, 2019

According to Sotheby’s, it’s not a 2019 work.
Their website states its dated 09, and was bought by the current owner in 2011.

Incidentally, they also seem to indicate that it was exhibited as part of the Banksy vrs Bristol Museum show in 09.



“PROVENANCE
The Artist
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 2011
EXHIBITED
Bristol, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Banksy versus Bristol Museum, June - August, 2009
Bristol, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Banksy’s Devolved Parliament, March - September 2019”

[met]

Sept 15, 2019 23:52:59 GMT 1 Coach said:

Sept 15, 2019 23:18:42 GMT 1 met said:

[...]

According to Sotheby’s, it’s not a 2019 work.
Their website states its dated 09, and was bought by the current owner in 2011.

Incidentally, they also seem to indicate that it was exhibited as part of the Banksy vrs Bristol Museum show in 09.



“PROVENANCE
The Artist
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 2011
EXHIBITED
Bristol, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Banksy versus Bristol Museum, June - August, 2009
Bristol, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Banksy’s Devolved Parliament, March - September 2019”

Sorry, that was a poor presentation by me.

My references to 2019 were meant to be read as "photo taken in 2019" or "as displayed in 2019".

They weren't intended to refer to the year of creation.

[Coach]

Sept 16, 2019 0:21:52 GMT 1 met said:

Sept 15, 2019 23:52:59 GMT 1 Coach said:

According to Sotheby’s, it’s not a 2019 work.
Their website states its dated 09, and was bought by the current owner in 2011.

Incidentally, they also seem to indicate that it was exhibited as part of the Banksy vrs Bristol Museum show in 09.



“PROVENANCE
The Artist
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 2011
EXHIBITED
Bristol, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Banksy versus Bristol Museum, June - August, 2009
Bristol, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Banksy’s Devolved Parliament, March - September 2019”

Sorry, that was a poor presentation by me.

My references to 2019 were meant to be read as "photo taken in 2019" or "as displayed in 2019".

They weren't intended to refer to the year of creation.

Thanks met. I hope you don’t think I was being pedantic.

[met]

Sept 16, 2019 1:01:03 GMT 1 Coach said:

Sept 16, 2019 0:21:52 GMT 1 met said:

Sorry, that was a poor presentation by me.

My references to 2019 were meant to be read as "photo taken in 2019" or "as displayed in 2019".

They weren't intended to refer to the year of creation.

Thanks met. I hope you don’t think I was being pedantic.

No complaints from me. You're chatting with a cheerleader for pedantry, precision, clarity and nuance.

Whenever I'm responsible for a complete or partial failure, I certainly want to be made aware of it — to improve my chances of doing better the next time around.

[tab1]

Sept 15, 2019 21:16:26 GMT 1 19818914 said:

I was there a few months ago. The canvas is a high quality print with hand finished elements.

That’s what the information read. However, it was so well done I could not distinguish print from paint.

Glicee print with clear varnish applied?

[adewilliams]

At a time when some politicians are fighting for our democracy this is like a lazy Daily Mail headline for me, why would any museum interested in the advancement of culture be interested in this lame joke.

I think it's the wrong time to be displaying this

[Matt]

Sept 16, 2019 7:19:15 GMT 1 adewilliams said:

At a time when some politicians are fighting for our democracy this is like a lazy Daily Mail headline for me, why would any museum interested in the advancement of culture be interested in this lame joke.

I think it's the wrong time to be displaying this

Despite the fact that a handful of politicians, on both sides of the fence, do seem to be fighting for the general interest, the vast majority of them are displaying amazing amounts of self orientation like primates fighting for a banana.

This painting has never been more true and timely.

Interestingly the rest of the world has also been lamenting the death of a long admired parliament, frequently comparing it to a zoo