Banksy collection to go under hammer in London auction

A collection of 10 works by the elusive graffiti artist Banksy have gone on display at a London hotel and nine will be sold at silent auction on Sunday, The Guardian reported.

The pieces, which have been peeled from walls, doors and even the side of a lorry, include some of the street artist's most iconic works such as No Ball Games and Girl with Balloon.

The exhibition, titled Stealing Banksy?, showcases the most expensive collection of Banksy artwork ever assembled under one roof, with the estimated sales prices for the works varying between £100,000 and £500,000.

However, the exhibition has been condemned by the artist, who posted a message on Banksy.co.uk saying: "The Stealing Banksy exhibition taking place in London this weekend has been organised without the involvement or consent of the artist.

"Banksy would like to make it clear – this show has nothing to do with me and I think it's disgusting people are allowed to go displaying art on walls without getting permission."

The artworks have all been salvaged and uncovered over the past 12 months from walls across London, Liverpool and Berlin by the auction organiser Sincura Group, which firmly stated it "does not own the pieces" nor has it "made any financial gain from the sale of any street art".

In a statement, the Sincura group added: "We are approached by building owners to remove the artwork illegally painted on their sites.

"The building owners have not asked for the art to be placed on their premises or for the on-going attention received from it. 

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