(Video) Banksy artwork stolen from London gallery
Two men accused of stealing ‘Balloon Girl’
In recent news that has shaken the art world, two men are facing charges for the theft of a Banksy work, known as Girl with balloonLondon’s Metropolitan Police confirmed the allegation and revealed that the robbery took place at the Grove Gallery, located on New Cavendish Street in the city centre.
How the robbery happened
The investigation began after the incident took place at around 23:00 BST last Sunday. CCTV at the gallery captured the exact moment the thieves carried out the robbery. According to the BBC, the footage shows a man in black work clothes and a hoodie smashing the gallery’s glass door with a heavy object. After gaining access inside, he ripped the artwork off the wall and quickly fled.
Recovery of the work and arrest of the suspects
The painting Girl with balloondepicting a girl with a red heart-shaped balloon, was the only item stolen in the incident. Fortunately, the work was recovered by police shortly after the theft. The defendants, Larry Fraser, 47, of Evelyn Denington Road, Beckton, and James Love, 53, of Elvin Drive, North Stifford, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. They both face charges of non-residential burglary and are due to appear at Kingston Crown Court on October 9.
Context of the exhibition and value of the work
The Grove Gallery had been exhibiting a collection of Banksy’s works titled Banksy’s London Rebellion. It opened on August 21 and closed on September 7, just before the robbery. At the time of the incident, the gallery housed more than two million dollars worth of art. The impression of Girl with balloon has an estimated value of $354,000.
Banksy’s impact and background
This theft highlights the continuing fascination and value of Banksy’s works. Girl with balloon It became an iconic symbol when, in 2018, a version of the work was partially destroyed at auction at Sotheby’s, and subsequently sold for $25.3 million in 2021. Additionally, in recent years, another attempted theft of a Banksy work in Paris resulted in a two-year suspended prison sentence for the culprit.
Despite the challenges facing street art, Banksy continues to create. This summer, the artist created a series of new works in London, which have captured the public’s attention with their wildlife images.
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