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Banksy’s ‘Forgive Us Our Trespassing’ was auctioned at the Sotheby’s Hong Kong Contemporary Art Evening Sale with an estimated price range of £1,600,000 and £3,200,000. The bidding for the piece was intense, eventually selling for approximately £6,400,000. This sale marked the second-highest price ever paid for a Banksy piece at an auction.
The iconic artwork by Banksy, “Forgive Us Our Trespassing,” is a visually stunning masterpiece that captures the essence of graffiti and street art. The artwork, which stands at a colossal seven meters in height, was created in 2011 with the participation of over 100 students at the City of Angels School. The artwork features a kneeling praying boy, accompanied by a can of paint and a brush, and is titled “Forgive Us Our Trespassing”. It playfully evokes the Christian petition to ‘Forgive us our trespasses” and instead of biblical scenes that typically animate church stained glass windows, we see graffiti tags. The image is a potent and moving revelation of Banksy’s conflicted feelings about being a graffiti artist.
“Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better-looking place.”
Banksy
The artwork first appeared in 2010 on a wall in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was later distributed as posters to promote Banksy’s fake documentary film “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” The image features a halo adorning the boy’s head, a poignant symbol that asks for forgiveness and acknowledges the concerns of those who see Banksy’s work as vandalism.
Banksy – Forgive us Our Trespassing
The present version of the artwork shows the boy donning a hoodie, and the halo has been replaced by a dazzling, gloriously graffitied stained-glass window.
Banksy’s work sells for millions due to his unique and groundbreaking approach to street art and his ability to create thought-provoking and often controversial pieces that resonate with people around the world. His anonymity and mysterious persona have also contributed to his popularity and the high demand for his work in the art market. Read about his top ten auction results here.
Discover our impressive collection of Banksy artworks available on our website here. Our team is delighted to support you if you cannot find a particular Banksy piece. With our vast knowledge and network of collectors, we can assist you in locating that elusive artwork you have been praying for.
Photo credit Sotheby’s