A banana duct-taped to a wall, the viral artwork Comedian by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s New York auction on Wednesday. Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun identified himself as the buyer, pledging to “personally eat the banana” in what he described as a unique artistic experience.
The piece, which first gained attention at Art Basel Miami in 2019, was originally valued at $1 million to $1.5 million by Sotheby’s. During the auction, bidding escalated quickly, reaching over $5 million. Auctioneer Oliver Barker remarked humorously during the event, “These are words I never thought I’d say. Five million for a banana.”
Justin Sun confirmed his purchase on social media, writing on X, “I am thrilled to announce that I’ve bought the banana! This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.” Sun added that the artwork inspires thought and will become a part of history.
The winning bid was placed through Jen Hua of Sotheby’s China office. Sun will receive a certificate of authenticity and instructions for installing and replacing the banana. He also announced plans to eat the banana as part of the artistic experience, stating, “I look forward to it sparking further inspiration and impact for art enthusiasts around the world.”
Cattelan, known for works like the solid gold toilet America, said the piece reflects “what we value” and “plays within the system” of art fairs. Comedian was originally sold in editions for $120,000 to $150,000 in 2019.
