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Banksy’s Vest, a poignant and provocative work that fuses patriotism with the realities of violence, made headlines at the recent Sotheby’s auction held on 9th October 2024. The iconic bullet proof Vest, executed in 2019 and numbered 1 from an edition of 5, surpassed all expectations by selling for an astounding £780,000, over its estimated value of £200,000 – £300,000.
Image Copyright Sothebys
This work, which belongs to Banksy’s Gross Domestic Product homewares line, is a striking reinterpretation of the traditional John Bull gentleman’s waistcoat. It incorporates a genuine, former police-issue bulletproof vest capable of stopping rounds from a gun and is adorned with a black, white, and blue Union Jack, disrupted by a rusty red hue suggestive of dried blood.
“Who knew moving into gents tailoring could be this much fun? A vest that’s capable of stopping bullets up to .45 calibre. And yet it’s not machine washable.”
(THE ARTIST QUOTED IN: @BANKSY, INSTAGRAM, 24 JULY 2019, (ONLINE))
The significance of the Vest was further amplified when British grime musician Stormzy donned one during his historic 2019 Pyramid Stage headline performance at Glastonbury Festival. Stormzy used his platform to highlight systemic injustices, making the Vest a charged statement criticising the fractured state of Britain.
“It felt like it was bestowed upon me…he found me and said you are going to wear this vest.”
(STORMZY QUOTED IN: THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW, BBC, OCTOBER 2022)
Today, Stormzy’s vest is housed and displayed at the London Design Museum, solidifying its status as a piece of cultural history.
Image Copyright Sothebys
Banksy’s ability to address pressing societal issues through his art, and the Vest’s powerful symbolism, undoubtedly contributed to its remarkable auction result. The sale of the Vest for £780,000 not only underscores its artistic and cultural significance but also reaffirms Banksy’s influence and relevance in the contemporary art world.
Lot Details
Description Banksy b. 1974 Vest signed and numbered 1 (on the reverse) acrylic on canvas, velcro and Plastazte foam 45 by 43 by 32 cm. 17¾ by 16⅞ by 12⅝ in. Executed in 2019, this work is number 1 from an edition of 5,
Image Copyright Sothebys
From the Gross Domestic Product homewares line, this work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Pest Control.
Exhibited: Croydon, Gross Domestic Product, October 2019 (another from the edition exhibited), Worthy Farm, Glastonbury Festival, Stormzy Headline Set, June 2019 (another from the edition exhibited, London, Design Museum, Beazley Designs of the Year 2020, 2020 – 2021 (another from the edition exhibited) and Glasgow, Gallery of Modern Art, Cut & Run: 25 Years Card Labour, June – August 2023 (another from the edition exhibited)
