Banksy’s Iconic Bullet-Proof Vest to Be Auctioned at Sotheby’s

Stormzy’s Glastonbury vest, symbolizing UK knife crime and cultural commentary, could fetch up to £300,000

A bullet-proof vest emblazoned with the Union Jack, created by renowned street artist Banksy, is set to make headlines once again as it goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s. The vest, a powerful commentary on the pressing social issue of knife crime, first gained widespread attention when British rapper Stormzy wore a similar design during his historic Glastonbury Festival headline performance in 2019.

Sotheby’s, which will auction the vest in October, estimates that it could sell for up to £300,000. Emma Baker, head of contemporary evening sales at the auction house, called the piece a “condensed social statement,” noting Banksy’s ability to blend powerful messages into art. “In a way only Banksy can,” she said, “he manages to powerfully condense a complex social issue through one redolent object.”

The Vest: Symbolism and Cultural Impact

The bullet-proof vest, crafted from an authentic former police-issue garment, features an image of the Union Jack, drawing attention to the UK’s escalating levels of knife crime and gang violence. The vest, already iconic due to Stormzy’s Glastonbury performance, has become a significant symbol of resistance and reflection on social justice issues.

Baker emphasized how the vest’s resonance has only grown since its debut, saying, “There is no doubt this artwork is more pertinent now than when the first vest debuted at Glastonbury – an event that saw it become the symbol of a defining cultural moment.”

Sotheby’s Auction: A Highlight of the Frieze Festival

The auction of Banksy’s vest will be one of the highlights of London’s Frieze Festival, a premier contemporary art event. The vest will be showcased at Sotheby’s New Bond Street Galleries from October 3 to 9 before its sale, offering collectors a chance to view the culturally and politically charged piece up close.

Banksy’s Legacy in Auction History

This auction comes on the heels of one of Banksy’s most iconic auction moments. In October 2018, Sotheby’s auctioned off Girl With Balloon, one of Banksy’s best-known works. Just moments after it was sold for £1.042 million, the painting shredded itself in front of a stunned audience. Re-titled Love Is In The Bin, the self-shredded artwork was later resold in 2021 for a record-breaking £18.6 million, further cementing Banksy’s unpredictable and daring legacy in the art world.

As anticipation builds for the auction of Banksy’s bullet-proof vest, art enthusiasts and collectors are poised to see whether this latest piece will once again redefine expectations, making its own history under the gavel.