Whether you’re an experienced art collector or new to investing in art, you can buy Banksy art. Paintings, prints and sculptures from the enigmatic and internationally popular artist Banksy can sell for tens of millions of dollars. However, you can also pick up pieces of Banksy artwork for a lot less.
As an alternative investment, art can provide significant returns, diversify your portfolio and give you something you enjoy seeing. Buying fine works of art can be intimidating if you’re a beginner, so here’s a primer on how you can buy Banksy art.
Who Is Banksy?
Officially, Banksy’s identity – as in, the artist’s real name – remains a mystery. But Banksy's work as political commentary, satire or comic relief is known the world over. Believed to have started as a street artist in Bristol, U.K., in the 1990s, Banksy exploded on the scene in the 2000s, becoming one of the most popular artists of this century.
Decades of effort to identify Banksy suggest he was born in 1974 in Yate, a town near South Gloucestershire in southwest England. His noted stencil work began appearing on buildings in nearby Bristol, where he is said to have attended school and been inspired by the city’s art and music scene. He later moved to London.
From Banksy wall art popping up around the globe to public displays, Banksy is reviled by some as a criminal defacing property with graffiti and hailed by others as a great artist with an anti-establishment voice.
The artist’s anonymity only adds to the intrigue and interest in his art.
Understanding the Market for Banksy Art
When considering whether to buy Banksy art, know that the market is evolving and dynamic, with prices rising and falling. Collectors and investors continue to demand iconic Banksy artwork, while Banksy invokes interest with public exhibits and stunts like the shredding of “Girl with Balloon” at a Sotheby’s auction in 2018.
A secondary market exists for Banksy artwork, and original Banksy paintings can sell for eight figures at auction. The market for Banksy prints grew rapidly throughout the early 2000s and surged in 2020, falling slightly in 2023 and 2024. Art professionals, however, consider that fall a correction from unsustainably high prices, with values still above prices paid by investors.
Several factors feed into valuing a Banksy: rarity, condition, edition size and provenance, or the history of ownership of the art. Banksy prints opened strong at auctions and continue to perform well. Signed prints, released in limited editions, garner higher prices than unsigned prints.
While counterfeiting has negatively impacted the Banksy market, Banksy paintings and prints have benefited from the artist founding Pest Control, the only entity that authenticates Banksy artwork. A certificate of authenticity (COA) from Pest Control can add up to half the value of a Banksy print.
Why Should You Buy Banksy Art?
Banksy’s art has performed well historically, although that does not indicate future performance. However, several factors that continue to push the artist’s work into the spotlight can make Banksy artwork attractive to investors.
- Commentary: Art with a message
- Recognizable imagery: Iconic stencil handprint
- Scarcity: Limited availability
- Anonymity: Adds intrigue and excitement
- Investment potential: Potential price appreciation
Owning a Banksy print or painting allows you to support or participate in a social or political movement while potentially earning a return. However, before you buy Banksy art, consider your investment horizon. Are you planning to hold the Banksy for an extended period, allowing the art to appreciate over time?
Also, consider how you will care for the artwork, and remember that its value can fluctuate; it might take longer than you expect to sell a Banksy.
Most Famous Banksy Artworks
Considered one of the most influential living artists, Banksy has created a body of work recognizable to art lovers and laypeople. Here are five of the British artist’s most iconic pieces of art.
“Girl With Balloon”
The image of a girl reaching for a red, heart-shaped balloon floating away is a Banksy classic and likely the artist’s most recognizable piece. It is perhaps Banksy’s most optimistic piece since the image is accompanied by the words “There is always hope.” He has used the iconic image for more than two decades.
“Sweeping It Under the Carpet”
Created at Chalk Farm in London in 2006, this Banksy artwork pays tribute to the woman who cleaned Banksy’s room while he lived in Los Angeles, California. It draws attention to social inequality.
“Napalm”
Banksy combined two of America’s most notable figures of capitalism – Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald – with the haunting image of Phan Thi Kim Phuc, a nine-year-old girl whom an Associated Press photographer captured running naked from the U.S. surface bombing of Trang Bang during the Vietnam War in 1972.
“Devolved Parliament”
One of the few famous Banksy pieces that didn’t first appear as street art, “Devolved Parliament” depicts British politicians as chimpanzees in the House of Commons. This artwork questions British parliamentary proceedings and the political process in general.
“Love Is in the Air”
Depicting a masked man about to hurl a bouquet as though it were a weapon, “Love Is in the Air” symbolizes the power of peaceful resistance against oppression. The imagery first appeared in 2003 on the wall in Jerusalem, separating Palestine from Israel.
How to Buy Banksy Artwork
To buy Banksy art, look for private sellers and check auction houses and galleries. That’s the secondary market. Your only choice in the primary market is Pest Control, the sole source for verifying Banksy’s art.
Take these steps to buy Banksy art:
- Verify the certificate of authentication from Pest Control.
- Buy from reputable dealers only.
If you plan to purchase a Banksy, you should first consider whether you like the art.
Invest in Banksy Art with Masterworks
Investing in Banksy’s art isn’t just about owning a piece of one of the world’s most elusive and thought-provoking artists—it’s about tapping into a lucrative market of contemporary art that has consistently outperformed traditional assets. With soaring auction prices and continued global demand, Banksy’s works remain a strong investment opportunity for those looking to diversify their portfolios with alternative assets.
Masterworks makes this investment more accessible than ever, allowing you to buy shares in high-value Banksy pieces without needing millions in capital. By leveraging expert curation, fractional ownership, and a data-driven approach, Masterworks provides an easy and secure way to gain exposure to the booming art market.
Don’t miss your chance to invest in one of the most sought-after artists of our time. Sign up with Masterworks today and start building your portfolio with Banksy art.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy Banksy original art?
Reputable auction houses and galleries sell Banksy’s original commercial art, and Pest Control, an authentication company owned by the artist, occasionally sells Banksy’s original artwork. You can join a Pest Control email list to be notified of sales.
How much does Banksy’s art cost?
Banksy artwork can sell for millions of dollars at auction. The value of art from the British-born artist dipped slightly in 2023 – this was considered a market correction by many. You also can buy cardboard prints of Banksy’s art for hundreds of dollars.
How to tell if Banksy art is real?
If you want to buy artwork by Banksy, request a certificate of authentication (COA) from the seller. All Banksy artwork from 2009 forward comes with a COA from Pest Control, the company set up by Banksy to safeguard the integrity of his paintings, prints and sculptures. You can request a COA by filling out a form and submitting a high-resolution photo on Pest Control’s website.