NEW YORK, Nov 21, (V7N) – A banana taped to a wall, the conceptual art piece titled "Comedian" by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was auctioned for a staggering $6.2 million on Wednesday, Sotheby's announced.

The buyer, Chinese-born cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, called the work a "cultural phenomenon" bridging art, memes, and the crypto community.

“This is not just an artwork,” Sun said in Sotheby’s statement. “It represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history."

Controversial Fruit Gains Cult Following

First unveiled at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, "Comedian" sparked heated debates about its artistic merit. The piece, consisting of a banana affixed to a wall with duct tape, debuted with a price tag of $120,000 and gained viral fame when performance artist David Datuna ate the original, citing hunger as his motivation.

The $6.2 million sale marks the third iteration of the artwork. Buyers essentially receive a certificate of authenticity and instructions for replacing the banana when it inevitably decays.

A Banquet of Art and Irony

Despite the ephemeral nature of the banana, Sun declared he plans to eat the artwork himself as part of the artistic experience.

"In the coming days, I will personally eat the banana, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture," he said, adding to the artwork's satirical commentary on consumerism and value in the art world.

Cattelan's Eccentric Portfolio

Maurizio Cattelan, known for pushing boundaries, also made headlines with "America", a fully functional 18-carat gold toilet. The artwork was infamously stolen from an English estate in 2019 but lives on in cultural lore.

With "Comedian" now cemented as a record-breaking symbol of art and absurdity, the sale underscores the evolving intersection of art, humor, and digital innovation.

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