Two men have been charged with burglary for stealing an artwork by the famous street artist Banksy from a London gallery. The stolen work, known as ‘Girl with Balloon’, is valued at £270,000 and is one of several versions of the iconic image of a child reaching for a heart-shaped red balloon. The suspects were caught on surveillance camera footage smashing a glass door and taking the picture from the wall.
The stolen work, which was recovered by the police, has gained even more value due to the theft. Gallery manager Lindor Mehmetaj expressed his horror and gratitude for the picture’s return, stating that incidents like this often increase the financial value of such masterpieces.
Banksy, whose identity remains a mystery, is known for his mischievous and satirical images that have become iconic in the art world. His works often sell for millions at auction and have been the target of thieves and vandals in the past. This is not the first time a Banksy artwork has made headlines for being stolen or destroyed, as one of his pieces famously self-destructed at an auction in 2018, only to increase in value and sell for even more at a later date.
The suspects, Larry Fraser and James Love, appeared in court and were ordered detained until their next hearing in October. The impact of this incident on the value and reputation of Banksy’s work remains to be seen, but it has certainly generated attention and intrigue in the art world.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com