Two prints of Banksy’s Girl With Balloon could fetch more than £60,000

Some 150 artworks by Banksy to go on sale in California after being put up for auction by the Bristol artist’s former agent and photographer

Two prints of Girl With Balloon are among Banksy artworks that will be put up for auction in the US.
The 2004 pieces were put on sale for $60,000 to $80,000 (£45,933 to £61,244) by Julien’s Auctions and come from the collection of Steve Lazarides, the artist’s former agent and photographer. 
Another version of Banksy’s Girl With Balloon was destroyed at a Sotheby’s auction in October 2018, transforming the work into Love Is In The Bin.
A separate print of Girl With Balloon was then stolen from Grove Gallery in London last month before being recovered by police.
The new auction includes some of Banksy’s earliest known works, such as a pink stencil of a rat holding a drill in a motorboat – on sale for an estimate of $100,000 to $200,000 (£76,529 to £153,057) – and a depiction of a rioter throwing flowers called Love Is In The Air, which was put up for bidding at $40,000 to $60,000 (£30,622 to £45,933).
Darren Julien, the co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions, said: “This astonishing collection assembled and lovingly kept for over 25 years by his closest associate and partner, Steve Lazarides, offers an unprecedented look at the history and path of the man that would become the world’s most famous and visionary artist named Banksy.”
He continued: “This auction featuring many of Banksy’s earliest works, most recognisable pieces and personal effects is a historic opportunity for the next caretaker to own the most comprehensive and definitive archive of Banksy’s legacy.”
The 150 pieces being sold off also include items worn by the Bristol street artist, such as a pair of Puma shoes embroidered with “turf war”.
Several works titled Rude Copper that feature swearing police officers, a chimpanzee stencil, a painting of a hooded figure, a Radar Rat print and the shoes are all up for auction at $40,000 to $60,000 (£30,622 to £45,933) each.
Also forming part of the California-based sale are concept sketches featuring Banksy’s notes, a print of the Queen Vic, a burning police car drawing, burner phones that Mr Lazarides used to contact the anonymous artist and a handwritten mission statement from Pictures On Walls, his former print publisher. 
 “Banksy, myself and a couple of others set up a company called Pictures On Walls and we really wanted to make cheap affordable art for the masses,” Mr Lazarides said.
“For a very short moment in time, we made a difference. We made it OK for ordinary people to like art… It’s by far the proudest thing I’ve done. And by far the most powerful thing I think [Banksy’s] done.”
Under Duress: The Banksy Archive of Steve Lazarides will be held at Julien’s Studios in Western Avenue, Gardena, California, on Oct 31. 
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