Banksy's blockbuster 2009 exhibition in Paul Fraser Collectibles hometown of Bristol, UK, featured an ice cream van customised in the anonymous street artist's own inimitable style - and an even more ambitious artwork appeared at London's posh Cumberland Hotel, earlier this week.
Billed as a unique Banksy "installation", the piece is actually an articulated lorry, fully stencilled by Banksy raise awareness of the Urban Contemporary Art exhibition running inside the hotel.
The event included a sale featuring eight original Banksy artworks, alongside other noted urban at stars including French stencil maestro Blek Le Rat and graffiti artist D*Face.
Star results in the sale included French artist Speedy Graphito's piece Mario Street, 2011, which sold for £13,000 over its £10,000-12,000 estimate. Elsewhere, British artist Charming Baker's Panda Boy Remix sold for £35,000 having been estimated at just £8,000.
 Van-dalism... Part of Banksy's artwork on the side of the lorry |
The above video gives a closer look at the lorry, and features in an interview with Mojo, an old friend of the Banksy who helped devise Banksy's "Turbo Zone Truck" piece.
Meanwhile, art collectors still can't get enough of Banksy with high-profile fans including Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Other big Banksy sales this year include in September 2011 at Bonhams' much-anticipated Urban Art sale in London. The artist's piece Monkey Detonator from 2000 sold for £97,250 ($152,377), nicely over its £70,000-90,000 estimate.
