Two men have been charged with burglary over the theft of a famous artwork by the elusive street artist Banksy in London. Larry Fraser, 47, and James Love, 53, allegedly stole ‘Girl with Balloon’ from the Grove Gallery in a smash-and-grab raid. The artwork, valued at £270,000, depicts a child reaching for a heart-shaped red balloon. Surveillance footage shows a masked man breaking in and taking the picture from the wall. The stolen work is one of several versions of ‘Girl with Balloon’, a famous image by Banksy.
Gallery manager Lindor Mehmetaj expressed shock and gratitude for the return of the stolen artwork. He also mentioned that such incidents often increase the financial value of the artwork. Banksy, known for his provocative and satirical artwork, remains an enigmatic figure in the art world. His pieces, which often command millions at auction, have been the target of theft and vandalism in the past.
The stolen ‘Girl with Balloon’ was famously partially shredded during a 2018 auction, creating a new artwork titled ‘Love is in the Bin’, which later sold for millions. The recent theft of the artwork has attracted significant attention and reignited interest in Banksy’s work. The suspects have been ordered detained until their next court hearing in October. Banksy’s mischievous and thought-provoking art continues to captivate audiences around the world.
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Photo credit www.euronews.com
