Banksy's Stab Vest, Worn by Stormzy, Sells for £780,000

The recent sale of Banksy’s stab-proof vest for £780,000 ($1 million) at Sotheby’s, London on 9th October, achieved more than double its estimated value of £300,000.

This shows that Banksy works are retaining their allure and is a very healthy sign for the Banksy market moving forward.

Originally worn by British rapper Stormzy during his groundbreaking performance at Glastonbury in 2019, this vest carries an emotional and cultural weight that transcends its material composition. In donning this vest, Stormzy brought Banksy’s vision into one of the most visible spaces of cultural expression: a stage that amplifies voices for social change. In doing so, he underscored the realities faced by young Black men in Britain, particularly around issues of knife crime and systemic racial inequality. The imagery projected behind Stormzy, including the words "knife crime" and excerpts from a speech by MP David Lammy, highlighted the urgency of the crisis gripping the UK.

What makes this sale all the more significant is not just the skyrocketing price but the deeper message that resonates through the vest. Banksy took a former police-issue garment—designed for protection—and transformed it into an artistic commentary on the contradictions of British society. By emblazoning the vest with a reinterpreted Union Jack, Banksy fuses the iconography of patriotism with the grim reality of violence. The vest, once a symbol of protection, becomes a reflection of how, for many citizens, the very concept of "being British" fails to guarantee safety, rights, or equal treatment under the law.

This sale is a stark commentary on the current state of Britain, where knife crime continues to surge, and systemic inequalities persist. For many young people in urban areas, violence is a daily threat. The vest, while fetching a staggering price at auction, stands as a reminder of the very real struggles faced by those who cannot afford such protections, financial or otherwise. Banksy's vest asks us to consider who gets to feel safe, and at what cost.

Banksy’s art has long been a mirror held up to society’s ills, and this vest is no different. Its sale, while a financial triumph for the auction house, raises deeper questions about the commodification of protest art.

While this sale marks a victory for the art world, it should also be seen as a call to action for society at large.