Banksy's 'COVID-19 Medical Staff' Painting Sold for 22.4 Billion KRW... Sets New Record Price

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The UK’s "faceless painter" Banksy’s artwork created to support COVID-19 medical staff was sold for 14.4 million pounds (approximately 22.4 billion KRW).

According to the British daily The Guardian on the 23rd (local time), the painting titled "Game Changer" was sold at London’s Christie’s auction for the highest price ever achieved by a Banksy work. CNN reported, "It sold for more than four times the estimated top price (3.5 million pounds), breaking the record set in 2009 by 'Devolved Parliament'."

This black-and-white painting, measuring 1 meter by 1 meter, depicts a boy wearing overalls playing with a nurse doll dressed as a superhero, holding the doll in front of Superman and Batman figures in the background.

It is interpreted as a tribute to the hard work of medical staff fighting against COVID-19. Banksy painted this artwork on the exterior wall of Southampton Hospital in the UK in May last year, leaving a note for hospital staff saying, "Thank you to every one of you."

Banksy is famous in the UK for creating graffiti with socially critical messages in public places and streets. His guerrilla-style activities, where he paints and then disappears, have drawn attention, but his real name and face remain unknown.

The proceeds from this sale will be used for hospital staff and patients. David French, acting chief executive of Southampton Hospital, told The Guardian, "Thanks to this amazing gift last year, our staff were able to heal and recover."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.