Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Landlord sells Banksy mural 'for £2,000,000' after ripping it off wall

Landlord sells Banksy mural 'for £2,000,000' after ripping it off wall

A Banksy mural ripped from a wall has sold for a rumoured £2 million, sparking outrage among residents of a seaside town.

Depicting a child with a crowbar next to a sandcastle, the graffiti had appeared on an old electrical shop in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in August.

Gary and Nadine Schwartz, the couple who own the building on London Road North, later removed the work of the world-renowned street artist and have now sold it privately.

But Nasima Begum, the deputy town mayor, branded it a ‘shame’ that the pair had decided to ‘profit off something that wasn’t for them’.

She added: ‘I’m sure Banksy didn’t put it on there in the hope that someone would profit from it.

‘It’s a real shame. The Banksy art created such a buzz and attracted so many visitors to the area.’

People had been flocking to the coastal town to check out the satirical work until it was removed in November.

The work, which depicts a child with a crowbar next to a sandcastle, appeared on the wall of an old electrical shop in Lowestoft in August

The owners of the property decided to tear out part of the wall featuring the grafitti, which was covered with a protective screen and wooden boards


At the time, some people argued that ‘this was not what Banksy had in mind for one of his master pieces’.

‘Crowbar Girl’ was one of 10 created in Norfolk and Suffolk by the elusive street artist, whose real name and identity are the subject of much speculation.

The former electrical shop had originally been on the market for £300,000 when the work appeared.

Shortly after, it was relisted for £500,000 after Banksy confirmed it was part of his ‘Great British Spraycation’ series.

John Brandler, who owns several Banksy pieces, believes the ripped out graffiti could have sold for as much as £2 million at auction

Initially, it was rumoured that the artwork was shipped to the prestigious Julien’s Auctions in California, US.

But it has now emerged that it never left British soil and has instead been sold to a private buyer for an undisclosed price.

John Brandler, who owns several Banksy pieces, believes that Julien’s low guide price – apparently $200,000-$400,000 – had deterred the seller.

He revealed that the mural could have sold for as much as £2 million at auction.

Previously, the collector had pointed out that this was a ‘missed opportunity’ for the town.

He told BBC: ‘Lowestoft was given a gift by Banksy; a golden opportunity to bring thousands of tourists into the town and help the local economy.’

The sellers have declined to comment.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×