Justin Sun, the cryptocurrency entrepreneur and founder of TRON, has been revealed as the buyer of the infamous “banana taped to a wall” artwork, “Comedian” by Maurizio Cattelan. Sun purchased the piece for a staggering $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, outbidding six other buyers. The controversial art consists of a banana attached to a wall with duct tape and includes a certificate of authenticity that allows the owner to replicate it.
Sun declared his intent to eat the banana as part of a performance art experience, stating, “I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history.” According to Sun, the artwork bridges the worlds of art, memes, and cryptocurrency, reflecting a cultural phenomenon. Despite the high price, Sun won’t receive a specific banana but a set of instructions and duct tape to create his version.
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve bought the banana? !!! @SpaceX @Sothebys I am Justin Sun, and I’m excited to share that I have successfully acquired Maurizio Cattelan’s iconic work, Comedian for $6.2 million. This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon… pic.twitter.com/lAj1RE6y0C
— H.E. Justin Sun ? (@justinsuntron) November 21, 2024
Originally displayed at Art Basel Miami in 2019 with a price tag of $120,000, this latest sale marks a significant inflation in value. David Galperin of Sotheby’s explained that the artwork challenges how society ascribes value, selling not the banana but the concept of its authenticity.
Critics and enthusiasts alike have debated the value of “Comedian,” but Sun is unapologetic, claiming it symbolizes the intersection of modern art and cultural evolution. “This isn’t just an artwork,” Sun insists, “it’s a statement of our times.”
