The Art:

My Comment:

In 2018, Banksy, the anonymous street artist known for his provocative works, shocked the art world when his painting *Girl with Balloon* partially shredded itself immediately after being sold for £1.04 million at a Sotheby’s auction. A shredder, hidden in the frame, activated just as the gavel dropped, cutting the artwork into strips. This act of self-destruction was seen as a critique of the commercialization of art, highlighting the absurdity of its commodification and the way it’s often valued more as a status symbol than for its message. What interests me the most about this piece of protest art is how Banksy completely transformed the original message the painting had to an entirely new one. The stunt resonated with many as a bold statement against the elitism of the art market, reinforcing Banksy’s reputation as a protest artist who challenges societal norms. Banksy’s choice to shred his piece of art immediately after it was bought forms his art into a completely different message of critique and disgust towards the value that society places on how market value defines how important a piece of art actually is.

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