9 - BANKSY (British Street Artist, born 1974)

BANKSY (British Street Artist, born 1974) "Gangsta Rat with Microphone" (Islington, London, 2004). Stencil and spray paint on a piece of a rendered brick wall. ca. 64 cm x 46 cm. (25.2 by 18.1 inch.) CONDITION Good original condition (Please refer to department for a Condition Report) In accordance with the terms and conditions of this sale and as agreed by bidders upon registering for this auction, all lots are final and will be sold "as-is." NOTES – This iconic piece which is created in Banksy’s trademark style, depicts a rat with a necklace, holding a microphone. Over the years, many of these ‘Rats’ were lost to vandalism, demolition or the elements. Only very few have survived to this day, and this ‘Microphone Rat’ can be seen as a very rare Banksy mural. – The artwork had been painted over by City Council workers many years before Banksy became an established name in the Art World. It was sprayed on an old building in Islington and was salvaged only shortly before the demolition of the old building began, to make way for new apartments. The artwork comes with accompanying pictures of its removal. – Since 2004 less than eight street art stencils ‘Gangsta Rat with Microphone’ have survived. PUBLICATIONS – Richard Hessink: “Catalogue Raisonné of Banksy’s Street Art”, (2nd edition, part 1, 2024), No. 333.