Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun acquired one of the three copies of the popular 2019 piece, calling it a significant cultural event.
Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous artwork, which features a banana affixed to a wall with duct tape, fetched an impressive US$5.2 million at auction, exceeding initial projections of $1 million to $1.5 million.
This piece, titled Comedian, is one of three editions created in 2019 and made its auction debut on Wednesday night at Sotheby’s New York during their contemporary art sale.
The bidding began at $800,000 and rapidly escalated past the original estimates in a lively auction that accepted cryptocurrency bids. Auctioneer Oliver Barker humorously remarked, “I never thought I’d say $5 million for a banana,” as the bidding heated up.
The banana showcased at Sotheby’s was reportedly bought for just 35 cents earlier that same day. Jen Hua from Sotheby’s China represented Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, who placed the winning bid of $6.2 million after including the buyer’s premium.
In exchange for his purchase, Sun will receive not only the banana and duct tape but also a certificate of authenticity along with guidelines on how to display the artwork—including instructions on replacing the banana if desired.
Sun expressed in a statement that this piece transcends mere art; it symbolizes a cultural phenomenon linking art, memes, and cryptocurrency communities.
He believes it will provoke further thought and dialogue moving forward and ultimately become part of history. Sun even mentioned his intention to eat the banana as an homage to its significance in both art history and popular culture.
Initially introduced at Art Basel Miami in 2019 with a price tag of $120,000—drawing global attention and sparking discussions about art’s value—Comedian gained viral fame when performance artist David Datuna removed and consumed the banana during an event; it was later replaced.
This incident inspired similar actions, such as when a South Korean student ate another edition of Comedian displayed in Seoul back in May 2023.
Cattelan, known for his provocative contributions to the art scene—including a fully operational toilet made of solid gold called America—has described his piece Comedian as an earnest critique and commentary on societal values.
In an interview with the Art Newspaper, he explained that at art fairs, where commercialism and quick transactions dominate, he envisioned a scenario where he could market a banana just as easily as others sell their artworks. He emphasized that while engaging in this system, he aimed to operate by his own set of principles.