An early and unique painting by Banksy will go under the hammer at DIGARD AUCTION in Paris in June. 

Silent Majority is a mural almost 10 metres long painted by Banksy in 1998 in collaboration with seminal graffiti artist Inkie. This is the first time the work has been presented at auction.

The painting was originally on the side of a traveller’s trailer (the work is spray paint on a metal chassis and measures 2.4 m x 9.93 m) and the current owners are long term travellers in England, and allowed Banksy to paint on their home. They testify to the work’s extraordinary provenance. In a hand written history of the art work, they say:

“Silent Majority was painted in 1998 at Glastonbury Festival as a Graffiti show outside the Dance Tent, done over three days. Banksy asked us if he could use the side of the lorry as a large blank canvas. ….The significance of Silent Majority is that it depicts this era and was painted whilst the free party movement was in its prime..…  Silent Majority depicts the last rave and hiphop scene of the time.”

This is one of the oldest works by Banksy and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Banksy’s team at Pest Control. It’s style is definitely Old Skool Graffiti, created free handed with very little use of stencils. It’s expected to reach in the region of £300,000 - £400,000.

Marielle Digard of DIGARD AUCTION says “This is a piece from the very beginning of Banksy’s career. It’s scale and history makes it a true original.”

The work shows the figures, dressed like soldiers, storming a site with a speaker in an inflatable raft, with the words  “It’s better not to rely too much on silent majorities.. for silence is a fragile thing…one loud noise and it’s gone.” The piece is signed by Banksy and Inkie.

Mary McCarthy, the UK’s leading street art specialist, adds “ We’ve seen some incredible works by Banksy on the market in the last few years. However, I think in terms of provenance and uniqueness, this one tops them all. For me what is quite special about this piece is it’s one of the few free hand pieces on the market. This one really is a rare piece.”

The work will be auctioned on Monday 1st June 2015 at DIGARD AUCTION in Paris at Hotel Drouot. Sale preview Saturday 30 May, Sunday 31 Mary and Monday 1st June 2015 in Room 10 and 16 at the Hotel Drouot in Paris. 

Silent Majority will be previewed to press and public prior to the sale - for further information please contact Abigail Stuart-Menteth, Damson PR, +44 (0) 78 555 26 550 or abigail@damsonpr.com

Further sale information from DIGARD AUCTION at www.digard.com. 

Further information on the work is available from Mary McCarthy, MM Contemporary Arts at mary@mmcontemporaryarts.com