Foto: BB.LV / Инсталляцию Бэнкси выставят на аукцион за миллионы
The work was created in 2019 and became a satirical statement by Banksy about the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. The art object is based on real metal shutters that were previously used in the arrivals area for passengers from EU countries at London Heathrow Airport. On the massive structure, Banksy left the inscription "KEEP OUT," but the last letter T is missing. Next to it is one of the artist's famous rats: it uses the missing letter as a tool, trying to pick the lock on the closed gates. In this way, the artist played with the theme of borders and new barriers between the UK and continental Europe that emerged in the wake of Brexit. The installation will be put up for sale by the auction house Phillips as part of the London contemporary art auctions timed to coincide with Frieze Art Week. Such large conceptual works by Banksy appear relatively rarely on the open market. The preliminary value of Keep Ou T is estimated to be between £1.2 million and £1.8 million — approximately between €1.4 million and €2.1 million. The auction is scheduled for mid-October. Banksy remains one of the most famous yet enigmatic contemporary artists: his identity is officially undisclosed, and his works regularly become events in the global art market.
