Art & Photography / NewsArt & Photography / NewsThat new Banksy artwork has been sold for a six-figure sumMore than enough to pay for a new garageShareLink copied ✔️January 19, 2019January 19, 2019TextThom Waite The new Banksy artwork that appeared on a garage in the Welsh town of Port Talbot late last year – and has since been attacked by a “drunk halfwit” and wrecked the garage owner’s life – has now been sold for a six-figure sum. Ian Lewis, the garage owner, is apparently relieved after selling Season’s Greetings, which depicts a child that seems to be tasting snowflakes (actually falling ash), to Essex-based Banksy aficionado John Brandler. As the piece brought more tourists to the area, arrangements had to be made for protective covering and security, as people tried to “chip bits off it”, and it was all understandably a bit much. According to The Guardian, Lewis actually turned down higher offers in order to keep the piece in Port Talbot, which is appropriate, since it’s meant to be a commentary on the town’s harmful heavy industry. “I want it to stay in Port Talbot for a minimum of two to three years,” Brandler says, though it is likely to be moved to the town centre. Brandler has also suggested the possibility of bringing other Banksy artworks (also naming Damien Hirst) into the town to inspire young artists, and he’s reportedly been in talks with a local homeless charity about opening a cafe near where the artwork would be situated. As for Ian Lewis, he’ll be looking forward to a well-earned break (and a good night’s sleep). He says he might go on “a few holidays” with the money, adding: “I’ll rebuild the garage. I think that every graffiti artist in the area is going to come down and have a go at it now though, although I don’t think Banksy will be back again.” Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREThis film explores how two shootings defined the student protest movementThese photos explore the internet’s supernatural depthsPull&BearKaroline Vitto: ‘I just wanted people to start feeling a bit hopeful’BACARDÍIn pictures: Manchester’s electrifying, multigenerational party spiritThis photo book documents the glamour and grit of Placebo’s ascentThis collective is radically rethinking what it means to make artPhotographer Roe Ethridge on sexuality and serendipity These haunting paintings depict daily life in GazaWhat went down at the Dazed Club private view of New ContemporariesThis exhibition opens up one of the world’s largest photography collections1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair: 6 artists to have on your radarOcean Vuong photographs the people and places that shaped his writingEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy