Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Banksy In Africa

Banksy's identity remains a mystery, and he has gone to great lengths to conceal his true identity, so it is difficult to say with certainty where he has been or what he has done. 
 
While Banksy's artwork has been spotted in various locations around the world, there is no record of him visiting Africa or creating any works of art on the continent. However, some of his works have been auctioned in African cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. 

Zebra's black stripes

While Banksy himself has never confirmed visiting Africa or creating any works on the continent, his artworks have been sold at various auctions and galleries in African cities. For example, in 2017, a Banksy artwork titled Heavy Weaponry sold for $187,500 at an auction in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Heavy Weaponry is a Banksy artwork that was first unveiled in New York City in 2013 as part of the artist's month-long residency called "Better Out Than In". 

The artwork depicts a military tank with a pink bow on its cannon, and a brightly colored bouquet of flowers bursting out from the end of the barrel. The artwork was created on a wall in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and quickly became a popular attraction for both art lovers and tourists. 

However, the artwork was vandalized shortly after its creation, and Banksy later covered it with a sheet of plexiglass to protect it from further damage. 

In 2017, a version of "Heavy Weaponry" was sold at an auction in Johannesburg, South Africa, for $187,500. The artwork was one of several Banksy works sold at the auction, which was organized by Stephan Welz & Co., a South African auction house. 

The sale of Heavy Weaponry in South Africa was seen as a significant event in the country's art scene, as it demonstrated the growing interest and demand for contemporary art in Africa. It also highlighted Banksy's global popularity and the value of his works in the art market. 

Slave Labour is a Banksy mural that was created in 2012 in London's Wood Green neighborhood. The mural depicts a young boy hunched over a sewing machine, stitching together a string of Union Jack bunting. 

The mural was seen as a commentary on the exploitation of child labor in the production of souvenirs for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The mural quickly became a local landmark and drew attention from art lovers and Banksy fans from around the world. 

However, in 2013, the mural was removed from the wall of the Poundland discount store where it was located, under mysterious circumstances. Later that year, the mural was put up for auction at a private auction house in London, and there was widespread outrage among local residents and the art community over its sale. 

Despite calls for the mural to be returned to its original location, it was ultimately sold to an anonymous bidder for over £750,000 (approximately $1.1 million at the time). In 2018, a version of the Slave Labour mural was sold again at a private auction in Cape Town, South Africa, to a private collector for an undisclosed amount. 

The sale of the mural in South Africa sparked renewed controversy and debate over the ethics of selling street art and the ownership of public art.

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