Banksy's 17-Ton Graffiti Truck Heads to Bonhams Auction

A 17-ton Volvo FL6 dump truck completely covered in Banksy graffiti will be auctioned by Bonhams on September 14 during the Goodwood Revival Sale in Sussex. The vehicle, titled "Turbo Zone Truck (Laugh Now But One Day We'll Be in Charge)," is the largest work ever created by the elusive street artist, featuring 80 square meters of painted surface. Created in 2000 when Banksy was still unknown, the truck was painted at a New Year's Eve party on a Spanish hillside after being introduced to the artist by Mojo, co-founder of Turbozone International Circus. Banksy spent two weeks completing the piece: the left side depicts a male figure hammering gears against a backdrop of flying monkeys and red stars with the word "circus," while the right side shows soldiers fleeing a cannon with the word "charge." The truck subsequently traveled across Europe and South America transporting Turbozone's acclaimed Cinderella show. Bonhams estimates the work will sell for between £1 million and £1.5 million ($1.3–$2 million). Ralph Taylor, director of Bonhams' contemporary art department, stated: "This, his largest commercial work, represents another high-quality example among his auction pieces." Bonhams previously sold a Banksy-painted SWAT truck in 2006 for £218,500 ($300,000), created for the Barely Legal exhibition.