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Banksy's Silent Majority goes under hammer in Paris | Banksy's Silent Majority goes under hammer in Paris |
(35 minutes later) | |
An early Banksy work painted on the side of a festival worker's trailer is expected to fetch more than £300,000 when it goes under the hammer in Paris. | An early Banksy work painted on the side of a festival worker's trailer is expected to fetch more than £300,000 when it goes under the hammer in Paris. |
Silent Majority, painted during the 1998 Glastonbury Festival, shows soldier-like figures landing on a beach with a speaker in an inflatable raft. | Silent Majority, painted during the 1998 Glastonbury Festival, shows soldier-like figures landing on a beach with a speaker in an inflatable raft. |
Its owners say it "depicts the...rave and hip hop scene of the time". | Its owners say it "depicts the...rave and hip hop scene of the time". |
The work is unusual for a Banksy piece, as it is largely freehand with little use of stencils. | The work is unusual for a Banksy piece, as it is largely freehand with little use of stencils. |
The metal piece, painted over three days outside the festival's Dance Tent, measures 2.4m (7.8ft) by 9.9m (32ft). | The metal piece, painted over three days outside the festival's Dance Tent, measures 2.4m (7.8ft) by 9.9m (32ft). |
Its message reads: "It's better not to rely too much on silent majorities ... for silence is a fragile thing... one loud noise and it's gone." | Its message reads: "It's better not to rely too much on silent majorities ... for silence is a fragile thing... one loud noise and it's gone." |
The elusive graffiti artist's team has provided a certificate of authenticity as part of the auction lot. It was painted in collaboration with fellow Bristol artist Inkie. | |
The owner, who prefers to be known by his first name, Nathan, said he organises infrastructure at festivals and lives in the trailer. | The owner, who prefers to be known by his first name, Nathan, said he organises infrastructure at festivals and lives in the trailer. |
He said Banksy approached him in 1998 - before he rose to fame - to ask if he could use it as a canvas for a piece commissioned by the festival. | He said Banksy approached him in 1998 - before he rose to fame - to ask if he could use it as a canvas for a piece commissioned by the festival. |
Nathan agreed, in return for some tickets and his expenses. | Nathan agreed, in return for some tickets and his expenses. |
Now he says he has no definite plans for the proceeds although he may choose to build a house. | Now he says he has no definite plans for the proceeds although he may choose to build a house. |
Digard, the auction house selling Silent Majority, said it was one of Banksy's oldest works. Street art specialist Mary McCarthy added: "For me, what is quite special about this piece is it's one of the few freehand pieces on the market. This one really is a rare piece". | Digard, the auction house selling Silent Majority, said it was one of Banksy's oldest works. Street art specialist Mary McCarthy added: "For me, what is quite special about this piece is it's one of the few freehand pieces on the market. This one really is a rare piece". |
It is one of more than 150 "urban art" pieces going under the hammer on Monday including work by artists Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Pure Evil and Conor Harrington. |