Early Banksy to be sold off after it went missing

ONE of Banksy’s earliest Bristol works is to be auctioned off after mysteriously disappearing from the street last month.

The anonymous street artist’s famous ‘Masked Gorilla’ mural – pictured right – was removed from its home in Eastville last month, prompting much confusion about where it had gone.

The Post now understands that the artwork, which was on the wall of the Jalalabad Islamic Centre, will be sold at auction next month.

Saeed Ahmed, who owns the Islamic centre, said the building is “falling to pieces” and he wanted to protect the work.

He plans to donate a significant chunk of the proceeds to charitable groups – particularly those helping to improve the lives of people in Bristol – and the funds will also help to improve the mosque.

He said: “The reason for selling is because the building is falling to pieces and we wanted to safeguard the piece.

“We are also giving money back to local charities in the Bristol area, which I will provide to charities like Developing Health and Independence in Bristol.”

The mural, measuring 1.5m by 0.8m, depicts a gorilla holding up a pink masquerade mask.

It is thought to date back to 2001 but was accidentally painted over with emulsion in 2011, and has since been restored – albeit looking slightly more ghostly than the original.

The removal of the piece was carried out by street art restoration company Exposed Walls, which will also hold the auction.

Bids are now being taken on the company’s website starting at £1,000, but it is likely that the winning bid will be much higher.

Banksy’s ‘Devolved Parliament’ piece, which depicts chimps in the House of Commons, sold for

£9.2 million last year.

The online auction went live yesterday and will conclude at 8am on Tuesday, November 17.