Banksy mural sold
A Banksy mural from post‑Katrina New Orleans just fetched $750,000 at auction — a striking reminder that the market still chases street provenance and controversy. Local eyes are also on a Banksy‑style pub mural in Southampton nicknamed ‘Banksy‑bara,’ and fresh claims linking Banksy to Robin Cunningham keep the mystery alive. (wwltv.com) (uk.news.yahoo.com) (oaklandpostonline.com)
Hessink’s Maastricht sale cataloged the lot as “Gray Ghost Attacks Stick Figure,” giving dimensions of about 244 x 152.5 cm and a weight around 2,500 kilos, and listed its provenance as a private New Orleans collection. (hessink.com) The auction notes that the mural was painted on the side of the former firehouse at 514 Jackson Avenue in August 2008 and that the work references the local anti-graffiti figure known as the “Gray Ghost,” Fred Radtke. (hessink.com) Hessink’s lot page carried an estimate of €600,000–€800,000 and a stated buyer’s premium of 25%, and the work had been exhibited by the Louisiana State Museum before consignment to Hessink’s March Banksy Street Art sale in Maastricht. (hessink.com) The newly appeared stencil of Marwell Zoo’s missing capybara was painted on the side of London Road Brew House on March 31, 2026, credits the image with the tag “Pidg was here,” and an identical image was spotted on Bedford Place’s Nara restaurant. (uk.news.yahoo.com) Reuters’ year‑long investigation, published March 13, 2026 and titled “In Search of Banksy,” names Robin Gunningham (who investigators say later used the alias David Jones) as the person behind Banksy, citing a 2000 New York arrest file and a handwritten confession as key evidence. (t.co) Banksy’s lawyer publicly told Reuters he “does not accept that many of the details contained within [the] enquiry are correct,” remarks echoed in coverage as outlets and art‑world figures debated the investigation by reporters Simon Gardner, James Pearson and Blake Morrison. (hollywoodreporter.com)
