The Expert Guide To Buying A Banksy

Banksy's art has transitioned seamlessly from street walls to the secondary market, captivating a diverse audience through its blend of ironic humour, political commentary, and contemporary appeal. While the Banksy market has become well-established, it remains relatively young compared to other blue chip artists. The 2021 market peak, followed by a recent adjustment, doesn’t necessarily indicate maturity but rather suggests room for continued growth.

Emerging from Bristol, Banksy gained prominence in the late 1990s. Through politically relevant messages and sensational stunts like the infamous shredding of Girl With Balloon, which sold for £1 million, Banksy challenges the art establishment, bluntly stated in through print aesthetics: “I Can't Believe You Morons Buy This Shit.” Despite overt critiques of the market, Banksy's fame remains unwavering, solidifying a position in the art market.

Banksy’s art continues to transcend traditional boundaries, blending humour and political commentary that remains culturally significant and uplifting, especially in challenging times. Recently, his focus has shifted from the auction spotlight back to his roots in street art. In 2023, Banksy held Cut & Run, his first exhibition in 14 years, and unveiled murals in Margate and Kent. By 2024, Banksy infiltrated Glastonbury, for a second time, and the London Zoo sequence had people across London searching for his new works. Banksy’s dedication to themes like the refugee crisis, Brexit, homelessness, and the Gaza conflict keeps him relevant and resonant for collectors who value art that sparks conversation and challenges contemporary issues.

Banksy's activism, captivating stunts, and political commentaries have garnered attention since the early 2000s, driving record prices in the art market. While original paintings fetch millions at auction, the accessibility of authentic Banksy prints has expanded with online sales platforms. Pest Control, Banksy's authentication board, adds a distinctive element to the Banksy market. Only prints accompanied by a Pest Control certificate of authenticity (COA) hold significant value, constituting half the worth of a Banksy print. This assurance offers buyer confidence associated with online purchases' authenticity, effectively negating the necessity for in-person inspection.

Whether considering a private purchase or bidding at auction, navigating the Banksy market requires careful consideration. To aid in this process, we've compiled key factors essential for acquiring a Banksy print, providing valuable insights for art investors and enthusiasts alike.

Banksy prints have consistently shown strong performance in auctions since their introduction to the market, supported by data from MyArtBroker's analytics marketplace. From 2017 to 2019, the Banksy print market displayed steady growth, averaging a 66% year-on-year (YoY) increase. By 2020, Banksy prints surged in popularity, surpassing the print market performance of many established artists like Andy Warhol and David Hockney.

Banksy has established a significant secondary market for both signed and unsigned prints, evolving over just 15 years into a major player in the art investment landscape. The rapid growth witnessed in the Banksy print market during 2020 and 2021, with a staggering 166% increase, on average, over two years, naturally led to a correction. Despite a decrease in sales value to £7 million and 250+ lots sold in 2023 compared to the previous year, these figures still exceed those of 2019. With Banksy prints now more affordably priced, the market offers promising opportunities for mid to long-term investment, moving away from the rampant flipping seen in peak years.

Today, original Banksy artworks fetch millions on the secondary market. Limited edition prints provide a more affordable entry point and portfolio diversification, priced from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands, depending on factors like rarity, popularity, and whether they are signed.

While many of Banksy's popular prints are readily available on the secondary market, there are certain print series initially released on the primary market that have yet to transition to the secondary resale market. The most recent primary market release by Banksy was a series of 50-editioned prints in support of Ukraine in 2022. Prior to this, Banksy had not issued any limited edition prints or multiples since the establishment of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) pop-up shop in 2019, and even earlier, since Sale Ends V2 in 2017. The only other existing and authorised Banksy “gift-shop” was at the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, which has closed due to escalating political conflicts in the region, with no indication of reopening. While the Walled Off Hotel was operational, it offered open-edition merchandise by Banksy, though these items are unlikely to appreciate in value like limited edition prints.

The value of a Banksy print is greatly influenced by its rarity, popularity, and whether it is signed or unsigned. To determine if a print is signed, inspect the bottom corners of the artwork – a pencil signature and a number as a fraction should be present. The bottom number represents the total number of prints in the edition, while the top number denotes the specific print number.

The first step when considering a Banksy print for purchase is to verify the presence of a Pest Control-issued COA. Pest Control serves as the authoritative body in the Banksy market, tasked with authenticating Banksy prints. They are the exclusive entity authorised to provide certification, ensuring the legitimacy of the artwork. Without a COA from Pest Control, galleries, auction houses, and collectors will not recognise the piece as genuine.

All Banksy artworks created post-2009 are accompanied by a Pest Control certificate, making it the sole source for acquiring new prints directly from the artist. For a comprehensive understanding of the certification process, refer to our Pest Control Guide for detailed insights.

Before 2009, Banksy's prints were distributed through Pictures on Walls (POW). These prints may bear a POW embossed circular stamp, which may ,or may not, be legitimate. Many traces of authenticity have been counterfeited, underscoring the importance of seeking expert guidance.

If the Banksy print you're interested in lacks a certificate, we strongly advise against purchasing it (note that Banksy's street works also lack certificates, as they were not intended for sale). Be cautious of fake certificates being offered, and ensure you're well-informed on what to look for.

Alternatively, our team of specialist brokers is available to assist you in navigating the authentication process at no cost.

Ensuring the pristine condition of the print you're purchasing is paramount. Sellers typically bear the responsibility of conducting condition checks and, if necessary, seeking advice from restoration experts to address any damage.

Several key points to consider when assessing the condition and authenticity of a print are: genuine Banksy art prints are typically handmade silkscreens with distinct colours, produced on wove art paper with a high-resolution quality that distinguishes them from cheap replicas or posters. Early prints like Rude Copper may have been printed on thinner paper compared to later prints such as Stop And Search.

After acquiring your Banksy print, it's crucial to maintain its pristine condition to preserve its future value. Store prints and canvases in a dark area away from sunlight, and consider framing works on paper with UV-protective glass. Some collectors even store prints flat in darkness to optimise their value, often noting this in their listings. Prior to purchase, carefully inspect the work and consult an expert if uncertain.

Learn more about how to look after your Banksy print in our Storage and Restoration Guide.

MyArtBroker provides a secure and straightforward platform for buyers, linking you directly with our professional brokers. Whether you're seeking to kickstart or expand your Banksy art collection, our expert brokers can aid in your quest. With an extensive network of collectors actively buying and selling daily, we can assist you in finding your desired piece.

A Dedicated Broker

MyArtBroker provides a protected environment for connecting buyers with skilled brokers.

Your dedicated broker will collaborate with you to locate the desired Banksy artwork at a price within your budget. Our specialists facilitate condition checks and authentication for artworks, ensuring your confidence in every purchase, and can assist with delivery arrangements.

We offer the assurance and convenience of both personalised specialist consultations and streamlined online processes.

Our Network

With a vast global network comprising over 30,000 active collectors, dealers, galleries, and experts, we ensure access to the most sought-after and genuine Banksy artworks. Our website attracts 75,000 monthly visitors, featuring regular updates on market trends, auction outcomes, and artist news, along with comprehensive biographies and insightful essays on Banksy editions.

At MyArtBroker, we connect you with this extensive network of collectors selling Banksy artworks. Reach out to us to explore purchasing a Banksy print, and we'll guide you through the entire process.