An original Banksy piece featuring a red heart-shaped balloon, painted in 2013 on a New York warehouse wall, is set for auction on May 21. The artwork has a unique history—Banksy returned to rework it after it was defaced by other graffiti artists, a rare occurrence for the elusive artist.
The warehouse owner, Vassilios Georgiadis, who had unknowingly supported Banksy, passed away from heart disease in 2021. To honor his memory, Georgiadis’ family will donate a significant portion of the auction proceeds to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Nancy Brown, AHA CEO, called the piece a powerful symbol of the millions affected by heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. The funds will aid life-saving research, advocacy for healthier communities, and improved patient care.
Guernsey’s auction house, hosting the event in New York City, praised the artwork’s impact and scale, calling it a must-have for serious collectors.
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