Banksy’s “Sunflowers From Petrol Station” to be auctioned by owner Paul Smith

Fashion designer Sir Paul Smith to auction Banksy painting titled Sunflowers from the gas station.

The painting, inspired by that of Van Gogh Sunflowers is estimated at between £ 8.8million ($ 12million) and £ 13.2million ($ 18million) by auction house Christie’s.

The work reinvents Van Gogh’s painting as a bouquet of withered sunflowers that have lost their petals.

The 2005 work will be exhibited in Los Angeles and Hong Kong before its sale in New York in November.

Sir Paul said: ‘What initially drew me to Banksy was his confidence and clarity in communicating something exactly as it is, I was so impressed with his observations on what was going on in the world and this remains true of the work he does today.

“His political statements are very relevant, really deep, really courageous and always delivered in a modern way.

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to own some of his work and the sunflower itself presents a brilliantly unique way of thinking about it.”

Katharine Arnold, Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art Europe at Christie’s, said: “Following the record-breaking sale of Game changer in March – another major oil on canvas by Banksy – we are delighted to offer Sunflowers from the gas station this november.

“Owned by legendary British designer Sir Paul Smith, the work is an icon in Banksy’s work, capturing not only his ease as a painter, but also the ironic humor he brings to global issues.

“Here, the pure comedy of withered flowers bought in a gas station becomes a way of highlighting our relationship to art and the environment: both, he recalls, are ephemeral.

The painting will be sold on Tuesday, November 9.

Update: October 11, 2021, 7:39 a.m.