One of the few original works by famed street artist Banksy, titled “Go Flock Yourself“, was brought to Athens by Kapopoulos Fine Arts. This work, a dynamic mixture of oil and spray paint on metal, measuring 90×90 cm, was first shown in Greece in 2010.
Despite Banksy’s signature on the back and the reputation the artist was slowly gaining abroad, the work was not appreciated as much as it should have been by the Greek public.
The story of the work begins when Grigoris Kapopoulos, while studying in London, managed to acquire “Go Flock Yourself” directly from the artist’s studio. However, when the work appeared at an auction held by Kapopoulos Fine Arts at the Zappeion Hall in 2009, its value reached between 40,000 and 60,000 euros, and no buyer was found. Despite the efforts of the gallery’s owner, Vangelis Kapopoulos, the Greek public showed indifference, and the work remained unsold.
“I urged friends and clients to buy it but no one was interested at the time, perhaps because Bansky was not so well known in our country,” recalls Vangelis Kapopoulos.
Before the Zappeion auction, the work was featured in the Banksy VS Bristol Museum exhibition at the Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery.
A few years later, in 2013, the work was sold to a gallery in London for the sum of £75,000. It seemed that Go Flock Yourself had finally found its place, but its true value was to be revealed ten years later.
At auction in 2022 by Phillips, it was estimated to be worth between £1m and £1.5m
Finally, about five months ago, at another auction in London, the same work sold for the astronomical sum of €1,850,000, causing a sensation in the art world. This spectacular increase in the value of the work highlighted Banksy’s potential and talent.
The story of “Go Flock Yourself” is a reminder of the value of art and the need for artists to be appreciated before their creations become treasures.
Greek audiences may have missed the opportunity to recognize and appreciate Banksy earlier, but his work continues to shine, offering lessons in the timelessness and unexpected trajectory of art in the world.
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