Duct-Taped banana sells for millions at art auction
A BANANA duct-taped to a wall Source: Sotheby's
Greetings Warriors
Let me tell you about something so absurd it’s borderline genius—or maybe just bananas. Literally. There’s an artwork called Comedian by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a banana duct-taped to a wall. Now here’s the kicker—it went for $6 million at auction. Yep, you read that right. And no, you don’t even get to keep the banana.
The "Comedian" will set art-lovers back a pretty penny, and they won't even get to take the banana homeCredit: AP
Instead, what your $6 million buys is the permission—and a certificate of authenticity, of course—to recreate this “profound” masterpiece on your own wall. So, in case your living room wall is feeling a little too bare, this might be just the thing.
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This infamous fruit is hit the auction block at Sotheby’s in New York, with an estimated value of £6.2 million. According to Sotheby’s head of contemporary art, David Galperin, it’s more than just a banana—it’s a mirror held up to the art world. He says Cattelan is challenging us to rethink how we value and define art. “What you buy isn’t the banana but the idea—the permission to recreate it as an original piece by Maurizio Cattelan,” he explains.
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And let’s be honest, Comedian is turning heads—whether people are rolling their eyes or nodding in thoughtful contemplation. Galperin defends it as part of a tradition of great artworks that provoke discomfort. After all, isn’t that what groundbreaking art is supposed to do?
But here’s the twist: is Comedian a serious commentary or one big joke? Cattelan has a reputation as a “trickster artist,” as Chloé Cooper Jones from Columbia University points out. She says his work often sits at the crossroads of humor and something darker, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths.
Chloé speculates the humble banana might be a stand-in for something bigger—maybe a commentary on global trade, imperialism, or labor exploitation. “The banana is a simple yet powerful symbol,” she explains, highlighting its ties to exploitation in global markets. But then, she adds, “It’s not that interesting of an idea.” Ouch.
For context, you can pick up a banana for 16p at Tesco, but this banana has inspired Halloween costumes, tattoos, and even Lego recreations since it debuted in 2019. It’s made waves across pop culture and social media, becoming a meme-worthy sensation. There’s even an Instagram account dedicated to Comedian, where fans spoof it, including a hilarious mashup with 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The auction took place on November 20. Too bad if you’ve got a few million lying around and an affinity for duct tape, this might just have been your chance to own (or at least replicate) a piece of contemporary art history.
Because let’s face it—whether it’s a masterpiece or a gag, Comedian has cemented its place as one of the quirkiest symbols of modern art. And really, isn’t that what art is all about?
