A simple banana duct-taped to a wall has once again become the centre of the art world’s attention, this time fetching an incredible $6.2 million (roughly Rs 52.3 crore) at a Sotheby’s auction on Wednesday. The conceptual piece, titled “Comedian“, was created by renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and originally gained global recognition during its debut at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019.
The artwork’s minimalist and provocative design sparked widespread debate about the definition of art, a conversation that continues with its record-breaking sale. The buyer, Justin Sun, is no stranger to controversy or the spotlight.
非常激动地宣布，我买下了那根香蕉🍌！！！ @SpaceX @Sothebys
我是孙宇晨，很高兴地告诉大家，我以620万美元成功拍下了Maurizio… pic.twitter.com/nTYHZrYd6U
— 孙宇晨🍌 (@sunyuchentron) November 21, 2024
A prominent entrepreneur in the cryptocurrency industry, Sun acquired not the banana itself but a certificate of authenticity. This certificate grants him the right to recreate “Comedian” at any time by taping a fresh banana to a wall.
Sun hailed the piece as more than just a quirky artwork. “[It’s] a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community,” he stated. Yet, his plans for the artwork have drawn even more attention. Sun revealed that he intends to consume the banana as part of an ongoing artistic performance, an action he believes will honour the piece’s place in both art history and popular culture.
ALSO READ: ‘I Was Hungry’, Says Student Who Ate A Banana Worth Rs 1 Crore At Seoul’s Leeum Museum Of Art
Who Is Justin Sun?
Justin Sun, the founder of the TRON blockchain platform, is a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency space. His business ventures include TRON’s associated cryptocurrency, USDD stablecoin, and ownership of the BitTorrent protocol and the Poloniex exchange. Additionally, Sun served as Grenada’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization from 2021 to 2023.
As per Coinpaper, Justin Sun has a net worth of at least $1.43 billion (perhaps short of $6.2 million now).
Despite his success, Sun’s career has been marred by legal challenges. In 2023, the US Securities and Exchange Commission accused him of manipulating the market to inflate the value of TRON (TRX) and BitTorrent tokens, as well as selling unregistered securities.
Now, Sun’s latest artistic endeavour — a $6.2 million banana destined to be eaten — is adding another layer of intrigue to his colourful legacy. Whether seen as a bold statement or a publicity stunt, his move continues to fuel discussions about the evolving nature of art in a modern, meme-driven world.
