25
BANKSY, Peckham Rock
Estimate:
$900 - $1,300
Sold
$900
Timed Auction
ART at HOME 18 - Contemporary
ARTIST
BANKSY (British b. 1974)
Size
11.7 x 17.6
Description
Peckham Rock
Medium
Print on birch wood
Literature
In 2005, Banksy installed a piece of concrete in the British Museum’s Roman Britain gallery. A bison, a person who looks like they have spikes protruding from their back, and a supermarket shopping wagon are drawn in marker on the concrete. Entitled “Peckham Rock,” the installation mimicked standard museum practice with a label that had a title, description, and even a fake identification (accession) number. The label read,
“This finely preserved example of primitive art dates from the Post-Catatonic era and is thought to depict early man venturing towards the out-of-town hunting grounds. The artist responsible is known to have created a substantial body of work across the South East of England under the moniker Banksymus Maximus but little else is known about him. Most art of this type has unfortunately not survived. The majority is destroyed by zealous municipal officials who fail to recognize the artistic merit and historical value of daubing on walls.”
“Peckham Rock” remained in the gallery for three days until museum took it down when they learned about it through Banksy’s own website.