Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Conservative cabinet members have voted to pursue selling a piece by the graffiti artist, which appeared at Gorleston’s yacht pond in 2021.
The artwork, which depicts two children drifting skywards in a dinghy being overinflated by an adult, is believed to be part of Bansky’s ‘Great British Spraycation’ series, which saw him create 10 works in the region.
Other artworks within the series have already been sold, raking in huge sums of at least £2m.
However, officials are sceptical that it will reach similar high figures.
This is because the piece has not been verified as being by the mysterious artist by Pest Control – the only organisation able to officially do so.
While it lacks this official designation, the artwork appears to have strong circumstantial evidence suggesting it is genuine.
READ MORE: Cash-strapped Norfolk council could make millions from selling off its Banksy
Banksy initially included it in his online marketing material for the series but later disowned it after it caused upset due to it appearing to echo the death of Ava-May Littleboy.
The three-year-old girl suffered a fatal head injury in 2018 after being thrown into the air when an inflatable trampoline blew up on Gorleston beach.
While it may lack official verification, the artwork is still likely worth substantial sums.
GYBC’s cabinet agreed to work with Dutch auctioneer Richard Hessink to sell the piece, which has been in storage since January 2022.
Any money raised from the sale will be ringfenced for community projects in Gorleston.
A second Gorleston Banksy, which was sprayed onto a beach shelter along Gorleston seafront, will remain in situ.
At the meeting, councillors also agreed to spend at least £5,000 on further protection measures to help ensure it remains a popular landmark for locals and visitors alike.
