A cryptocurrency entrepreneur who identified himself as the buyer of a viral artwork depicting a yellow banana duct-taped to a wall said he would eat the fruit as part of a “unique artistic experience.”
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Nov. 20, Justin Sun said he was the person who purchased the art piece — titled “Comedian,” created by artist Maurizio Cattelan – for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction.
“This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes and the cryptocurrency community,” Sun wrote in his post on X (formerly known as Twitter). “I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history.”
“I am honored to be the proud owner of the banana 🍌 and look forward to it sparking further inspiration and impact for art enthusiasts around the world,” Sun continued.
And that’s not all he will be doing with his new $6.2 million possession.
“Additionally, in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana 🍌as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture. Stay tuned!” Sun concluded.
According to NBC News, Sun is the founder of cryptocurrency TRON. PEOPLE contacted Sun on Friday, Nov. 22, for further comment.
Sotheby’s oversaw the auction of “Comedian” in New York City on Nov. 20, CNN, Reuters and The New York Times reported. Before Sun’s purchase, the artwork was expected to only fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million.
In an interview with The Associated Press ahead of the Nov. 20 auction, David Galperin, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art, said of “Comedian”: “What Cattelan is really doing is turning a mirror to the contemporary art world and asking questions, provoking thought about how we ascribe value to artworks, what we define as an artwork.”
“Comedian” was previously presented at Art Basel Miami Beach for $120,000 in 2019. Gallery owner Emmanuel Perrotin told CNN at the time that Cattelan’s use of the banana was to show how the fruit is “a symbol of global trade, a double entendre, as well as a classic device for humor.”
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Perrotin further added in a statement: “Back then, Cattelan was thinking of a sculpture that was shaped like a banana. Every time he traveled, he brought a banana with him and hung it in his hotel room to find inspiration. He made several models: first in resin, then in bronze and in painted bronze (before) finally coming back to the initial idea of a real banana.”
If you are wondering whether the piece features the same banana displayed from the Miami show five years ago, think again: According to Sotheby’s, the banana and the duct tape are regularly replaced, the AP reported.