Owner of Banksy artwork on Gaza ruin 'tricked' into selling it for just £118

 
Sold: This Banksy was bought for just £118 (Picture: Banksy.co.uk)
Banksy
Rashid Razaq1 April 2015

A Palestinian family whose home was destroyed in the Gaza bombings have claimed they were “tricked” into selling a Banksy mural painted on their door for just £118.

The true value of the artwork is estimated at hundreds of thousands of pounds.

But Rabie Darduna told the BBC he was given less than $175 for the image, which the reclusive graffiti artist drew on the only remaining door of his property when he visited Gaza in February.

The mural depicts a weeping Greek goddess. Banksy also drew a cat playing with a ball of mangled metal and an image of children swinging from an Israeli watchtower.

Mr Darduna’s home was one of thousands destroyed during last year’s conflict. He said he was duped into selling the piece by a local man who was pretending to work for the artist.

“Really, we’re depressed. It’s a matter of fraud,” he said.

The buyer told the BBC his purchase was legal. He said he paid $175 for the mural. But Banksy’s artworks usually carry a much higher price tag.

The artist who bought the door, Belal Khaled, says he did not mean to trick anyone. He says he just wants to protect the painting and has no intention of profiting.

In August a painting by the artist left on the wall of a social club in Bristol sold for more than £400,000.

Banksy’s representative said the artist believes the picture should be returned.

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