BY ALBERT CHEN
Mickey Snake (2015), a sculpture by the renowned and elusive street artist Banksy, was the top lot at Bonhams’ British. Cool. sale in London, realising £330,600 ($438,000). The work significantly exceeded its pre-sale estimate of £150,000–200,000 ($198,000-265,000).
The sculpture, featuring the outline of a well-known cartoon mouse inside a snake, is from the same edition as the version exhibited at Dismaland, Banksy’s 2015 pop-up art installation. Its strong performance underscores continued demand for Banksy’s work in the secondary market, particularly pieces associated with his major projects.
Banksy, whose identity remains unconfirmed, emerged in the 1990s as part of the Bristol underground scene. Known for his politically charged stencilled works and dark humour, he has become one of the most influential and widely recognised contemporary artists.
His works often critique consumerism, war, and social inequality, and have appeared on streets, walls, and bridges around the world. Despite—or perhaps because of—his anonymity, Banksy’s art continues to command significant attention in both public spaces and the global art market.
Suzanne Irvine, Bonhams Head of Sale, commented: “We are delighted with the results of this sale and particularly Mickey Snake, which exceeded expectations. The sale also saw strong results for prints, with editions by David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Frank Auerbach, L. S. Lowry, and Damien Hirst all performing well.”
The results from the British. Cool. sale reflect the continued strength of the contemporary British art market, with collectors responding positively to both established names and iconic works with cultural relevance.
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