Christie's sells NFT authenticity certificate for Skygolpe painting

Christie's third online auction 'Trespassing' ran July 8–21, 2022, with public viewing at Rockefeller Center, New York from July 13–21. Curated by collector Ronnie K. Pirovino in collaboration with Christie's Prints & Multiples and Post-War & Contemporary Art departments, the auction explored graffiti's influence on contemporary art and the intersection of art and technology. Works by KAWS, Banksy, Invader, Stik, and Italian artist Skygolpe were featured. Skygolpe's lot included the NFT of the authenticity certificate for his painting PX4882E, from his 'pixel on canvas' series that bridges physical and digital. Initially estimated at $30,000–50,000, the work sold for $69,300 to anonymous collector and digital art curator 33nft. The buyer receives the physical painting with an NFC chip linking to the NFT certificate, plus the NFT certificate itself. Skygolpe stated the NFT certificate serves as proof of ownership, a digital asset, and a financial instrument, offering transparency via blockchain. The artist was supported by Valuart. Skygolpe emphasized that this model shifts the paradigm from selling a digital copy to selling a certificate of authenticity, potentially transforming sales psychology in Web3.