Islington Tribune - by SARA NEWMAN Published: 14 March 2008
Mayor Livingstone and the Banksy
Money in the Banksy
A MYSTERY bidder paid £195,000 for a Banksy canvas to raise funds for the London Mayor’s re-election campaign.
The graffiti artist donated the work, an image of two children pledging allegiance to a Tesco’s bag which was stencilled onto a wall on Essex Road two weeks ago, for the auction held at the Aquarium Gallery in Farringdon Road.
The works of 30 painters and sculptors including Marc Quinn, Antony Gormley and Sex Pistols designer Jamie Reid went under the hammer last Thursday night.
Well-known Labour Party members in the crowd included Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron and Geoffrey Robinson QC, who helped to bring the total sum to £230,000.
The shroud of secrecy around the mystery bidder will inevitably be lifted as all donations for campaigns must be declared to the Electoral Commission.