Banksy, who began his career in the streets of Bristol in the early 1990s, is one of the most influential contemporary artists, with his works selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The piece, entitled Gold Flag, will be auctioned on November 10 at the Mánes Gallery in central Prague.
Created in 2006, the artwork combines Banksy’s characteristic wit with a deeper social message, said Andrea Otevřelová, the gallery manager.
She added: “Gold Flag depicts teenage gang members raising an American flag over a car wreck, drawing a parallel to the iconic 1945 photograph by Joe Rosenthal, which captured six soldiers raising the American flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.
“It invites viewers to reflect on the value and significance of national symbols in contemporary society.”
Another notable Banksy item featured in the auction is a ten-pound note with Princess Diana’s image replacing Queen Elizabeth’s, further indicative of the artist’s provocative style.
‘Art terrorist’
In 2010, Banksy, who refers to himself as an “art terrorist,” earned a spot on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people.
His works address issues such as the coronavirus pandemic, the migration crisis, racial tensions in the United States, and the war in Ukraine.
Banksy is not the only anonymous artist whose work will be featured at the auction.
Also up for grabs is a canvas by Bambi, another British street artist often called the “female Banksy,” whose art explores the themes of contemporary female identity.
All the artworks are currently on display at the Mánes Gallery.
