MY ART – 2026-

WASSILY KANDINSKY
Wassily Kandinsky, born in Moscow in 1866, influenced an entire generation of artists in Germany and France with his personal artistic approach by the age of thirty. He began studying law at Moscow University early on and distinguished himself with various writings and a dissertation on social issues. After declining a professorship at an Estonian university, he moved to Munich and, in 1900, began studying under Franz von Stuck at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. Just a few years later, he was teaching at a private art school.
Kandinsky devoted considerable intellectual effort to exploring the “spiritual dimension of art,” which led him to contact the Berlin Secession in 1902. This artists’ association included painters such as Klimsch, Leistikow, Liebermann, Slevogt, Corinth, Beckmann, Barlach, and Feininger. The art world during this period was characterized by a focus on paintings of nature, but also by shifts towards abstraction, resulting in inevitable divergences and differences regarding what was considered worthy of exhibition. Consequently, in 1906, he founded and exhibited with the group “Die Brücke” in Dresden. In 1907, he founded the “Neue Künstlervereinigung” (New Artists’ Association) in Munich, from which—with Franz Marc as a pioneer and leading figure—the group “Der Blaue Reiter” (The Blue Rider) emerged. Trips to Paris and Italy brought Kandinsky into contact with the stylistic trends there, with Cubism and Fauvism, and contributed to his thinking increasingly focusing on the substantial question of modern art, namely the function of the image in a world consumed by materialism.
All conventional artistic means seemed to him insufficiently immaterial to transcend the materiality of reality. For Kandinsky, only music could overcome this materiality without relying on representational forms. His paintings became increasingly abstract, leading to a distinct new focus on nuanced color palettes and rhythmic forms. Exhibitions of his work in Munich, Zurich, the USA, and Moscow attest to the restless, yet always agile and innovative artist, also in search of self-discovery. After periods in Moscow and Berlin, he moved to Weimar in 1922 and, at the invitation of Walter Gropius, became a teacher at the Bauhaus there. He met other important artists such as Lyonel Feininger, and together with Paul Klee and the Russian painter Jawlensky, he founded the artists’ group “The Blue Four.”
When the Bauhaus closed in 1933, Kandinsky moved to Paris. There, he met other important artists such as Robert Delaunay, Fernand Léger, Joan Miró, Piet Mondrian, and Hans Arp. In 1937, the Nazis defamed his work. Over 57 paintings were confiscated and removed from German museums.

1. DELICATE TENSION No. 85, 1923 (Zarte Spannung Delicate Tension)
WASSILY KANDINSKY (1866-1944)
Abstract Expressionism. Watercolour and ink on paper.

Ink and coloured pencils on Arches drawing paper.

Delicate Tension was executed by Kandinsky at the Bauhaus during the prestigious school’s most rationalist period under the directorship of Theo van Doesburg, from 1923 to 1925. During these years, the initial Expressionistic style of this avant-garde centre evolved towards greater commitment to the Constructivist aesthetic, which was spreading internationally. Kandinsky delved more deeply in his investigation of the correspondences between forms and colours, and the geometric shapes found in his works from this period, which is sometimes described as “cold, ” are basically the circle and the triangle, which he considered to be “the two primary, most strongly contrasting plane figures.”
The abstract painter Rudolf Bauer (1889–1953), who belonged to the circle of the Der Sturm gallery in Berlin, acquired the present watercolour in 1929, through the Galerie Ferdinand Möller, and a few years later, in 1936, it passed to Baroness Hilla Rebay. In 1930, Rebay, who was involved in a relationship with Bauer, established the non-Objective private art museum in Berlin called Das Geistreich (The realm of the spirit), closed by the Nazis in 1937, where his exhibition Werke von Kandinsky und Bauer was shown in 1932. After emigrating to the United States, she became the director and curator of the new Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the organiser of the exhibition entitled The Solomon R. Guggenheim Collection of Non-Objective Paintings at the Gibbes Memorial Art Gallery in Charleston, which included the present watercolour as part of the Guggenheim collection, to which it belonged from 1936 to 1971.
Presently in the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, Spain.

2. KOMPOSTION VIII 1923
WASSILY KANDINSKY
Geometric abstraction. Oil on canvas 201 cm x 140 cm (55.1 x 79.!”)

Ink and coloured pencils on Arches drawing paper

The audience was quite shocked by the transition from the apocalyptic emotion of Composition VII to the geometric rhythm of Composition VIII. “Composition VIII” was painted ten years later, in 1923. It is a logical development of the creative genius of the painter, and to a certain extent, it reflects the influence of Suprematism and Constructivism assimilated by Kandinsky in Russia and in the Bauhaus.
Presently in the Guggenheim in New York City.

1. THE GREAT WAVE OFF KANAGAWA 1830
HOKUSAI wood block print 14.6″ wide
Also known as The Great Wave or simply The Wave, it is a woodblock print by the Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai.
It was published sometime between 1829 and 1833 in the late Edo period as the first print in Hokusai’s series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. It is Hokusai’s most famous work and is often considered the most recognizable in Japanese art. One of art history’s most iconic images, it is now among the world’s most widely reproduced images, appearing on posters, mugs, shirts and fridge magnets.
It depicts three fishing boats battling raging seas in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture. It is part of a genre known as “Ukiyo-3” that saw artists mass-produce works on paper using woodblock printing. Likely, several thousand prints were initially produced, but only a fraction are thought to have survived. Printmakers would have produced prints until the woodblocks literally wore out. Possibly 8000 were made. There is photographic evidence of 111 different versions. They were not always as sought-after as they are today.
The British Museum has three original prints.
A rare print fetched a record $2.76 million at a Christy’s auction in New York. Listed under its full name, “Kanagawa oki nami ura (Under the well of the Great Wave off Kanagawa),” the item was acquired by the previous owner’s family in the early 1900s and was once exhibited at the Glyptotek art museum in Copenhagen. This one is described in the auction house’s catalogue as a “well-preserved” early print that ranks “beyond doubt among the 20 or so best impressions surviving today.” Christie’s had initially estimated bids between $500,000 and $700,000.
Other copies auctioned by Christie’s in recent years have ranged in price from a few hundred thousand dollars to over $1.5 million.

Ink and coloured pencils on Arches drawing paper

BANKSY
Arguably the most controversial street artist in the world, Banksy’s works have become a subculture in their own right. Banksy’s political statements and disruptive vision have impacted cities across the globe at vital moments in modern history, provoking alternative viewpoints and encouraging revolution in the art world.
His identity remained unknown, even after more than 30 years of involvement in the global graffiti scene. He has worked in many street art mediums and in many styles, breaking down the boundaries and expectations of street art critics. His work includes powerful, often controversial images, encouraging the rapid spread of his name and work across the internet. Today, his iconic works have been re-shared and repurposed beyond measure.
At the age of 18, Banksy was nearly caught vandalizing public spaces by the police. Banksy noticed stencil letters sprayed onto a truck, and, as he had been looking for a faster way to paint at the time, he decided stencilling would be his new graffiti style.
Banksy’s works often take the form of multi-layered stencils combined with other media sources. He sometimes includes objects that already exist on his chosen ‘canvas,’ such as street signs and fire hydrants, to turn his work into striking street art installations. His artwork is often satirical, combining dark humour with messages about art, philosophy, and politics.
By the early 2000s, his international work was taking off. He travelled to Palestine and the West Bank, where he stencilled nine now-iconic images onto the newly-erected West Bank Wall, including ‘Love is in the Air.’ These images were an instant hit and exploded online.
As Banksy’s work gained notoriety, he transitioned from local fame to international acclaim. Key exhibitions and provocative street installations solidified his status as one of the most influential artists of his generation. His art caught the attention of media outlets, which amplified his message and expanded the reach of his work beyond the streets into the galleries of the world.
Iconic pieces like “Girl with Balloon” and “Rage, the Flower Thrower” became synonymous with his name, captivating audiences with their poignant messages and stunning imagery. Banksy’s ability to blend humor, pathos, and political commentary ensured that his work would resonate across diverse cultures, establishing him as a pivotal figure in contemporary art.
At this time, Banksy’s silkscreen prints and stencil paintings were racking up record-breaking sales in storied art auctions such as Sotheby’s and Bonhams of London. These successful sales marked Banksy’s dramatic entry into the commercial art world. In 2010, Banksy assumed the role of author and filmmaker for his film ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop.’
Who is Banksy? Very little is known about Banksy himself, as he refuses to be interviewed and carefully maintains his anonymity. A world-renowned mystery man, street art fanatics are consistently impressed by the far-reaching scope, variety, and bravery of every artwork he delivers, but are always left wanting more. This tactic encourages viewers to explore a completely new perspective or idea, often inspiring both amateur and professional artists. This inspiration is also known as the “Banksy Effect.”
Most recently, many sources, suggested he was a Bristol native by the name of Robin Gunninham.
Banksy artwork
In October 2013, Banksy undertook a month-long residency in New York entitled ‘Better Out Than In.’ During this time, he unveiled a new piece of work every day. On Day 13, the artist disguised himself as a typical street vendor and set up a stand in Central Park, where he sold black-and-white original paintings for $60. Only eight pieces of art were sold. The following day, Banksy authenticated those eight canvases on his website, alongside the message: “Yesterday I set up a stall in the park selling 100% authentic original signed Banksy canvases. For $60 each”. A year later, ‘Winnie the Pooh’, purchased during Banksy’s New York residency, sold for £56,250 on July 2nd, 2014 at Bonhams in London.
In the summer of 2015, Banksy opened the dystopian theme park Dismaland in the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare. Prepared entirely in secret, the project unveiled 10 new works by Banksy as well as works from 58 other artists.
Banksy went on to participate in the design of the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem in 2017, opposite the Israeli West Bank Barrier. With nine rooms designed by Banksy himself, guests could literally sleep inside a work of art. Originally intended as a temporary and provocative piece of installation art, the Walled Off Hotel rapidly became a top tourist attraction. Alongside the spot on which Jesus was reputedly born, a traditional pilgrimage site, the controversial 700 km-long wall is now a surprising tourist site.
Banksy’s relationship with tourism is a complex one; while he often stimulates it, he also regularly denounces it because of its negative effects. To criticise the mass tourism that is endangering the Italian city of Venice at the Biennale in 2019, Banksy unveiled ‘Venice in Oil,’ a series of nine oil paintings which, when placed together, depict a large cruise ship. 
In October 2018, a painting by the anonymous street artist sold at Sotheby’s auction house in London for £1.04 million. Shortly after the hammer came down, the print of Banksy’s 2006 ‘Girl with Balloon’ began to pass through a shredder installed in the frame, destroying half of it. “It appears we just got Banksy-ed,” reported Alex Branczik, Sotheby’s Senior Director and Head of Contemporary Art in Europe. The piece was a famous Banksy print known as ‘Girl with Balloon’ created back in 2006. Banksy’s balloon girl, which was voted UK’s best-loved work of art in 2017, became the first instance of a self-destructing painting. Banksy posted a video to his Instagram account to confirm the move was intentional and demonstrate how he built a shredding device into the large golden frame. The work was then given a new title: “Love is in the Bin“.
In October 2019, another Banksy artwork took the country by storm. Amidst the political controversy at the time, Banksy released ‘Devolved Parliament,’ a painting that depicts the House of Commons overtaken by apes. It sold at Sotheby’s for an astonishing £9.9 million, making it the most expensive Banksy painting sold to date. In typical Banksy fashion, he responded to the sale on Instagram with a line from Robert Hughes: “But the price of a work of art is now part of its function, its new job is to sit on the wall and get more expensive.”
In a characteristically charitable move, Banksy donated a series of three paintings to auction in 2020, entitled ‘Mediterranean Sea View’, to raise money for a hospital in Bethlehem. The oil paintings were in a detailed, traditional style that had grown more prominent in Banksy’s work around this time. Of course, the stunning landscapes came with a Banksy twist: life jackets washed up on the shore, intended to highlight the growing European migrant crisis.
Banksy’s ability to consistently break and challenge his own records continued to amaze the art market when, in October 2020, Banksy’s reinterpretation of Monet’s famous waterlilies, entitled ‘Show Me The Monet’ sold at auction for £7.5 million. This made it the second most expensive of his works to sell at auction. The piece was part of a series of remixed masterpieces and commented on the threat that society’s wasteful consumerism poses to the natural world.
In response to the global Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Banksy hung a brand-new black and white artwork, depicting a young boy playing with a ‘superhero’ NHS nurse doll, in the foyer of Southampton General Hospital. He released a statement thanking the NHS for their work and hoping that the painting brightened up the hospital. The piece was later titled ‘Game Changer.’ On the one-year anniversary of the UK entering into lockdown, ‘Game Changer’ sold at auction for £16.8 million, with all proceeds donated to the NHS. This price far exceeded all expectations and firmly secured this piece as the most expensive Banksy ever sold.
Banksy’s artistic endeavours continue to take him around the world. Artworks have cropped up in Australia, France, Italy, the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and Israel, and are instantly protected and revered.

The West Bank Barrier Murals
The West Bank Barrier Murals represent a poignant intersection of art and political commentary, with Banksy’s work illuminating the complex realities of life in Palestine. These murals serve as powerful visual statements that challenge perceptions and provoke thought about conflict and resistance.
Significance of Location. The West Bank Barrier, commonly referred to as the “Apartheid Wall” by critics, is a series of concrete walls and fences separating Israeli and Palestinian territories. This controversial structure has profound implications for the people living in the region. Banksy chose this location deliberately, understanding the symbolic weight it carries. By placing his art in such a charged environment, he emphasizes the stark realities and frustrations experienced by Palestinians.
The placement of art in this area transforms a site of division into a canvas for dialogue. It compels viewers to confront the harsh realities of occupation and the daily struggles for freedom and justice. As such, the murals become a form of resistance, challenging viewers not only to observe but to engage with the pressing issues at hand.
Girl with Balloon: This poignant piece depicts a young girl reaching out toward a red heart-shaped balloon, symbolizing hope and loss.
Rage, the Flower Thrower: A protester throwing a bouquet instead of a weapon critiques violence and promotes the message of peace through creativity.
Love is in the Bin: This work gained notoriety after self-destructing during a live auction, challenging notions of value and ownership in contemporary art.
In October 2018, a painting by the anonymous street artist sold at Sotheby’s auction house in London for £1.04 million. Shortly after the hammer came down, the print of Banksy’s 2006 ‘Girl with Balloon’ began to pass through a shredder installed in the frame, destroying half of it. “It appears we just got Banksy-ed,” reported Alex Branczik, Sotheby’s Senior Director and Head of Contemporary Art in Europe.
The piece was a famous Banksy print known as ‘Girl with Balloon’ created back in 2006. Banksy’s balloon girl, which was voted UK’s best-loved work of art in 2017, became the first instance of a self-destructing painting. Banksy posted a video to his Instagram account to confirm the move was intentional and demonstrate how he built a shredding device into the large golden frame. The work was then given a new title: “Love is in the Bin“. In October 2019, another Banksy artwork took the country by storm.

Festival (Destroy Capitalism) 2006
Festival, also known as Destroy Capitalism, depicts a group of people at a music festival queuing up to buy t-shirts. They are clearly portrayed as punks, goths and hippies attending some sort of music festival with clothes, haircuts and attitudes representative of those subcultures. They represent what society might consider as anti-capitalists or “outsiders.” However, they queue up to buy a $30 t-shirt, just like the rest of society – illustrating the power that capitalism holds even for its most fervent opponents.
Festival can also be read as an ironic comment on how independent and anti-globalization events, like alternative music festivals, for example, have now become hypocritical versions of themselves – contradicting the very thing their attendees cry out against. The irony of the work unintentionally reached its climax in 2013, however, when Walmart – the American multinational retail corporation which is the very embodiment of capitalism – sold a series of Festival at a markup through their online marketplace (without asking Banksy for permission to use the imagery, to boot).
Release History. Festival is one of six prints belonging to the Barely Legal Print Set, which also includes Grannies, Trolleys, Morons, Applause, and Sale Ends. Festival was originally released at Barely Legal as an edition of 100 unsigned prints, printed by Modern Multiples, that sold for $500 a piece.