we had announced in a previous article that Cattelan's banana would have reached a sure record, and so it was, indeed it exceeded all predictions. But it could not have been otherwise! The banana represents in its own way a protest against the consumerism of this society, where everything even the most useless manages to have an economic value, like a perishable banana. It is in fact a very banal banana stuck with adhesive tape and which is renewed at each exhibition. Seven bidders competed for the work at Sotheby's Manhattan auction house, but the winner was Chinese artist Justin Sun.
“I believe this work will inspire further thought and discussion in the future and become a part of history. I am honored to be its proud owner and hope it will further inspire and impact art lovers around the world. Additionally, in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique art experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture.”. Sun said in a statement
The sale was granted with payment in cryptocurrency and the buyer is a Chinese man named Justin Sun who, in addition to being a collector, is the founder of the Tron blockchain network.
Previous provenance of the work
Provenance – Perrotin, New York – Private collection (acquired from the above in 2019)
Previous exhibitions
- Galerie Perrotin, Art Basel Miami, December 2019
- Beijing, UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, The Last Judgment, November 2021 – February 2022 (another edition)
- Beijing, UCCA Center for Contemporary Art; and Shenzhen, Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Maurizio Cattelan: Wish You Were Here, July – October 2022 (another edition)
- Seoul, Leeum Museum of Art, WE, January – July 2023 (another edition)
- Rome, Palazzo Bonaparte, It Looks Alive!, May – October 2023 (another edition)
- Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria, NGV Triennial, December 2023 – April 2024, pp. 208-09, 360, illustrated in colour (other edition)
