Dennis Stinchcombe of Broad Plain Boys’ Club in Bristol stands near the Banksy piece “Mobile Lovers.” The club sold the artwork to a private collector to secure the future of the club.
LONDON – A cash-strapped youth group in Bristol has sold a Banksy artwork to a private collector for 403,000 British pounds ($668,000) – securing the future of the club.
The work, “Mobile Lovers,” shows a couple embracing while checking their mobile phones, their faces illuminated by the glow of the display. It first appeared on a doorway near the club, Broad Plain Working With Young People.
Club owner Dennis Stinchcombe had moved the work inside and invited the public to view it – with an optional donation. The work was later put on display at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery while its ownership was established.
Stinchcombe thanked Banksy at a news conference at the museum announcing the sale.
