Banksy, Mickey Snake 2015. Sold for £330,600. Image: Bonhams

Banksy’s Mickey Snake sculpture from Dismaland sold for £330,600 at Bonhams, smashing expectations in the British Cool art auction.

BY ARTCENTRON NEWS

LONDON- Banksy’s sculpture Mickey Snake became the crown jewel of Bonhams’ British. Cool. sale, achieving an astounding £330,600. The record sale was more than 60% above its upper estimate of £200,000. This extraordinary piece, portraying the unmistakable outline of Disney’s Mickey Mouse coiled within the jaws of a snake, was drawn from the same limited edition exhibited at Banksy’s dystopian art installation Dismaland in 2015.

The online auction, which ran for two weeks, featured 207 lots, culminating in a total sale of £901,356, underscoring a surging demand for blue-chip contemporary British art.

A Dismaland Relic: Mickey Snake and Banksy’s Enduring Influence

Mickey Snake is not just another collectible from Banksy’s portfolio—it is a symbolic deconstruction of consumer culture, cleverly using the world’s most iconic cartoon figure as a metaphor for manipulation, innocence lost, and predatory capitalism. Originally featured in Dismaland, Banksy’s satirical anti-Disneyland, this sculpture has grown into a defining moment of his post-2010 work.

By incorporating Mickey Mouse, Banksy again leans into familiar pop imagery to challenge societal norms. The snake’s dominance over Mickey may be read as a visual allegory for corruption or systemic control, a recurring motif across Banksy’s politically charged work. That this piece drew fierce bidding and shattered estimates highlights the market’s ravenous appetite for politically infused street art, especially when tied to the mythos of Dismaland.

Record-Setting Results Across the Auction

Beyond Banksy’s headline-grabbing sale, the Bonhams British. Cool. event also marked record-breaking achievements for other modern masters.

David Hockney’s Pretty Tulips, 1969—New World Record

A new world auction record was set for David Hockney‘s print Pretty Tulips from 1969, which fetched £56,280. This sale underscores Hockney’s continued relevance and strong collector interest in his earlier print works, especially those echoing his vibrant, LA-inspired palette.

L. S. Lowry’s Going to the Match, 1972

One of Britain’s most beloved chroniclers of industrial life, L. S. Lowry, saw his 1972 print Going to the Match reach £33,280, showcasing enduring admiration for his nostalgic portrayals of mid-20th-century Britain.

Banksy’s Golf Sale, 2003

Another of Banksy’s politically loaded prints, Golf Sale (2003), resonated strongly with bidders, closing at £28,160. This piece, famously riffing off the 1989 Tiananmen Square “Tank Man” photo, was an early example of Banksy’s subversive genius.

Bridget Riley’s Ra 2, 1981

Celebrated for her pioneering contributions to the Op Art movement, Bridget Riley saw her print Ra 2 achieve £24,320—a testament to the timeless appeal of her kinetic visual experiments.

Frank Auerbach’s Six Etchings of Heads, 1980–81—A World Record

The late Frank Auerbach’s series Six Etchings of Heads achieved £20,480, setting a world record for this particular series. Auerbach’s dense, introspective portraiture continues to captivate collectors and critics alike.

Dylan Jones Collection: A Unique Blend of Art and Fashion

The auction was further elevated by selections from journalist and author Dylan Jones, including pieces from his private art collection and upcoming fashion items.

Damien Hirst’s For the Love of God, 2012

Among Jones’ offerings, Damien Hirst’s infamous skull-themed artwork For the Love of God (2012) sold for £7,680. This piece, part of Hirst’s meditation on death and value, reflects his continued influence over the contemporary art market.

Fashion Forward: Men’s Fashion Enters the Auction Spotlight

In furtherance of British. Cool. sale, Bonhams announced that Jones’ fashion archive will be auctioned during its first-ever men’s fashion sale, running from April 23 to May 1. This sale aims to redefine luxury menswear auctions with curated highlights from a style icon’s wardrobe.

Why Mickey Snake Outshone the Sale

Banksy’s Mickey Snake triumphed not only because of the artist’s fame but because it exemplifies the perfect storm of rarity, cultural commentary, and historical significance.

• Edition Size & Provenance: With direct ties to Dismaland, its provenance alone heightened demand.
• Symbolic Power: Mickey Mouse—beloved and globally recognized—juxtaposed with a snake offers collectors a layered visual narrative.
• Banksy’s Market Dominance: Banksy continues to dominate the contemporary auction scene, often exceeding estimates and drawing global media attention.

As Suzanne Irvine, Bonhams Head of Sale, noted:

“We are delighted with the results of this sale and particularly Banksy’s Mickey Snake, which exceeded expectations.”

The Rise of Online Auctions and Accessible Art Investment

The Bonhams sale demonstrated the growing importance of online auction platforms. Running exclusively on the Bonham website, the auction allowed global bidders to participate with ease, signaling a democratization of high-end art collecting.

With prints and editions performing exceptionally well, new collectors can enter the market without seven-figure budgets. Notable examples from this auction include:

• Banksy editions under £30,000
• Riley and Auerbach’s prints reach new records within modest price brackets
• Hockney’s earlier prints show continued appreciation in value

The Bigger Picture: Contemporary British Art’s Momentum

This auction reaffirms a surging momentum in British contemporary art. Artists like Banksy, Hockney, Riley, and Auerbach are not just gallery darlings but market mainstays. Their work consistently appeals to both seasoned investors and new entrants.

Cultural significance, scarcity, and social commentary are now as critical as technique or medium. Banksy’s Mickey Snake embodies all three, making it a definitive piece in his oeuvre and a keystone moment in the 2025 British auction calendar.

Banksy’s Mickey Snake Redefines Auction Success

The sale of Mickey Snake represents more than just a successful auction—it signals a collecting zeitgeist, where provocative, culturally embedded art triumphs over the decorative. Banksy’s work continues to challenge, provoke, and inspire, and its market value reflects that cultural power.

With Bonhams’ British. Cool. sale delivering high-impact results across the board, the demand for British contemporary prints and sculpture is stronger than ever. As art collectors shift toward online bidding and meaningful acquisitions, this auction has set a new standard.