Banksy Auction Record, by Daniel Silk on Oct 26, 2006 11:21:43 GMT 1, today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2006-10-25T174420Z_01_L25758591_RTRUKOC_0_UK-ARTS-BANKSY.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsLanding-C8-Ents-3

Graffiti artist Banksy breaks own auction record
Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:44 PM BST

LONDON (Reuters) - Graffiti artist and prankster Banksy has broken his own auction record after one of his works fetched 62,400 pounds, auction house Bonhams said on Wednesday.

The spray paint on steel work of an embracing couple wearing deep-sea diver's helmets -- produced for the cover of rock group Blur's Think Tank album -- sold for 10 times its estimated price when it went under the hammer.

Last week Banksy's stencil of the Mona Lisa, sprayed green and with paint dripping from model Kate Moss' eyes, sold for 57,600 pounds at Sotheby's.

Wednesday's anonymous buyer said: "I'm delighted to purchase this particular work from the Think Tank group of works by Banksy. This work will remain in a private collection of Pop Art here in England".

Banksy keeps his identity secret but has built up a cult following in Europe over the last four years, placing his work in top museums, zoos or on the streets.