One of Banksy’s most famous works, the 2005 mural first appeared on a side wall of the Prince Albert Pub in Brighton. As a resident of Brighton, I had assumed the stencil that remains on the pub wall was the original. So I wonder it it will now be removed? Or maybe all that has been sold is copyright?

The Icons Mural on Prince Albert pub wall – by Req and Sinna One. Photo by Paul Brown. Copyright on this image belongs to Paul Brown.

Banksy, whose real name still remains unknown, gained international fame after members of the public noticed his work in Bristol in the early 1990s. Often satirical and political, his graffiti has since popped up around the globe, including in places as far-flung as Bethlehem and New Orleans.

“Young people want to have a message, a dialogue, and they want a way to express themselves,” Frederic Thut, director of Fine Art Auctions Miami told Reuters. “The potential of this market is incredible. I was at the first sales of pop art and it was exactly the same people coming from nowhere and buying immediately.”

Many critics have spoken out in defence of keeping Banksy’s graffiti in its original locations, as the artist’s intention was for his work to be accessible for all.