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'I made £20k in three minutes' 'I made £20k in three minutes'
(10 minutes later)
By Fiona Wickham BBC News MagazineBy Fiona Wickham BBC News Magazine
Vikki at the urban art auctionMayfair's art auctions rarely attract budget-concious mothers who work in hospitals. But it's also rare to own to a work by an in-demand artist whose prices are going one way - up. But Vikki Hughes needed the money, and so she made a night of it at Bonhams. Vikki at the urban art auctionMayfair's art auctions rarely attract budget-conscious mothers who work in hospitals. But it's also rare to own a work by an in-demand artist whose prices are going one way - up. Vikki Hughes needed the money, and so she made a night of it at Bonhams.
In a glass half-empty way, we thought it wouldn't sell. We didn't have any real reason to think that, we were naive to it all. I really went in blind.In a glass half-empty way, we thought it wouldn't sell. We didn't have any real reason to think that, we were naive to it all. I really went in blind.
The picture's called Flag and it's from 2006. Banksy gave it to my fiance Matt as a thank you for supplying this gold and silver laminate Formica, a very unusual material to paint on.The picture's called Flag and it's from 2006. Banksy gave it to my fiance Matt as a thank you for supplying this gold and silver laminate Formica, a very unusual material to paint on.
It's been hanging in the hall for a year, the only picture up in the house. Matt wasn't mad about the design but it was a gift and it's got his name on it, it says "4 Mat". It's one of 50.It's been hanging in the hall for a year, the only picture up in the house. Matt wasn't mad about the design but it was a gift and it's got his name on it, it says "4 Mat". It's one of 50.
VIKKI'S ARTWORK How to spot a Banksy We sold it at Bonhams in the world's first urban art auction because we need the money to pay off a debt. We're both practical about it because we've got no choice. The reserve price was £5,000 - the minimum it could go for, but Matt's gutted that in 10 years it will probably be worth a fortune.VIKKI'S ARTWORK How to spot a Banksy We sold it at Bonhams in the world's first urban art auction because we need the money to pay off a debt. We're both practical about it because we've got no choice. The reserve price was £5,000 - the minimum it could go for, but Matt's gutted that in 10 years it will probably be worth a fortune.
Matt didn't want to go to the auction, he'd rather just get told yes or no after. But I went along because I need adult company, cocktails and a bit of life outside school runs and dreary south-east London. I got a babysitter, recruited a friend and we went for posh cocktails in Bond Street after.Matt didn't want to go to the auction, he'd rather just get told yes or no after. But I went along because I need adult company, cocktails and a bit of life outside school runs and dreary south-east London. I got a babysitter, recruited a friend and we went for posh cocktails in Bond Street after.
Nerve wrackingNerve wracking
The auction was in this big room with all the pictures for sale on the walls. I was amazed how busy it was, we had to stand. It was exciting but still kind of hushed and British.The auction was in this big room with all the pictures for sale on the walls. I was amazed how busy it was, we had to stand. It was exciting but still kind of hushed and British.
A Bonhams employee displays another of the works for saleI thought it would be like the Antiques Roadshow but it was quite cool. And the woman with the hammer had a really sexy voice.A Bonhams employee displays another of the works for saleI thought it would be like the Antiques Roadshow but it was quite cool. And the woman with the hammer had a really sexy voice.
They give you a numbered card to hold up when you bid so you can't just scratch your eye and accidentally buy something. Which is good.They give you a numbered card to hold up when you bid so you can't just scratch your eye and accidentally buy something. Which is good.
I'd like to say I was calm but when ours was coming up I almost left the room. I had no faith. The lot before ours had a reserve of £15,000. The bidding was inching up, with loads of pauses. It went for £44,000 and the whole room clapped.I'd like to say I was calm but when ours was coming up I almost left the room. I had no faith. The lot before ours had a reserve of £15,000. The bidding was inching up, with loads of pauses. It went for £44,000 and the whole room clapped.
My heart was thumping, and I had sweaty armpits which isn't good in a Primark synthetic top. I can't remember a time when I felt that nervous.My heart was thumping, and I had sweaty armpits which isn't good in a Primark synthetic top. I can't remember a time when I felt that nervous.
I had my hands over my ears when bidding started, I couldn't bear it. It started going up £500 a go and then shot up to £20,000. Our debt is £20,000 so I was like, "oh go on, go up one more grand so we could have some for us". But it didn't.I had my hands over my ears when bidding started, I couldn't bear it. It started going up £500 a go and then shot up to £20,000. Our debt is £20,000 so I was like, "oh go on, go up one more grand so we could have some for us". But it didn't.
Celebrating the saleI should have stayed but I couldn't wait to get out of there. I rang Matt and pretended it hadn't sold and he said "I knew it". Then I came clean and he started launching into figures.Celebrating the saleI should have stayed but I couldn't wait to get out of there. I rang Matt and pretended it hadn't sold and he said "I knew it". Then I came clean and he started launching into figures.
But I was in too good a mood to talk numbers. He told me to get a cab home, but it would have cost loads so I got the train as usual. I think there will always be a bit of the single mother in me.But I was in too good a mood to talk numbers. He told me to get a cab home, but it would have cost loads so I got the train as usual. I think there will always be a bit of the single mother in me.
It's such a juxtaposition. We just earned £20,000 in three minutes and I just used the last of my emergency credit on my pre-pay gas meter at home.It's such a juxtaposition. We just earned £20,000 in three minutes and I just used the last of my emergency credit on my pre-pay gas meter at home.