The garment owes its fame to British rapper Stormzy who wore a vest from the same collection in 2019 on the stage of the Glastonbury festival.
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A bulletproof vest, decorated with the Union Jack flag and created by British street artist Banksy, was sold on Wednesday, October 9, in London, for 780,000 pounds (932,000 euros) at Sotheby’s.
The vest, made from old police clothing, is one of five vests created by the graffiti artist to highlight the high levels of knife crime in the UK. “Vest”, that’s his name, was estimated at 300,000 pounds.
British rapper Stormzy made the vest famous when he wore another one from the same collection during his 2019 concert on the Glastonbury main stage.
“As only Banksy can do, he manages to powerfully condense a complex social issue through a flamboyant object”said Emma Baker, head of contemporary art sales evenings at Sotheby’s.
“There is no doubt that this work is more relevant today than when the first vest was presented at Glastonbury, an event which saw it become the symbol of a defining cultural moment”she added.
Last month, London police charged two men with burglary after Banksy’s work was stolen Girl with Balloon (The Little Girl with the Balloon) in a gallery in the British capital.