Banksy's ‘Sunflower from Petrol Station’ to Fetch 13 Million Pound at Auction

A Banksy painting inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers which is to be auctioned in November 2021. The painting, titled Sunflowers From Petrol Station, is being sold by fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.
A Banksy painting inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers which is to be auctioned in November 2021. The painting, titled Sunflowers From Petrol Station, is being sold by fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.
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Banksy's ‘Sunflower from Petrol Station’ to Fetch 13 Million Pound at Auction

A Banksy painting inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers which is to be auctioned in November 2021. The painting, titled Sunflowers From Petrol Station, is being sold by fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.
A Banksy painting inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers which is to be auctioned in November 2021. The painting, titled Sunflowers From Petrol Station, is being sold by fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.

Banksy's "Sunflowers From Petrol Station" is being sold by fashion designer Sir Paul Smith and it has been valued at between £8.8 million and £13.2 million. The work is inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

According to the daily Mirror, the 2005 artwork will be displayed in Los Angeles and Hong Kong ahead of its sale in New York next month. Sir Paul said: "What initially attracted me to Banksy was his confidence and clarity to communicate something exactly as it is. I was so impressed by his observations of what was happening in the world and that remains true of the work he's doing today."

"His political statements are completely on point, really profound, really brave and consistently delivered in a modern way. I was delighted to have the opportunity to be able to own a piece of his work and the Sunflower itself presents such a brilliantly unique way of thinking about things," he continued.

Commenting on the piece's display for auction, Katharine Arnold, Christie's head of post-war and contemporary art in Europe, said: "Following the record-breaking sale of Game Changer in March, another major oil on canvas by Banksy - we are delighted to offer Sunflowers From Petrol Station this November."



Saudi Space Agency Launches 'BioGravity' Initiative

The initiative is overseen by astronaut Rayyana Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut. SPA
The initiative is overseen by astronaut Rayyana Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut. SPA
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Saudi Space Agency Launches 'BioGravity' Initiative

The initiative is overseen by astronaut Rayyana Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut. SPA
The initiative is overseen by astronaut Rayyana Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut. SPA

The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) has announced the of launch of the "BioGravity" initiative, aiming to empower scientists and researchers in the field of biomedical sciences to conduct innovative research in microgravity.

The initiative seeks to enhance scientific collaboration between local and international entities and establish the Kingdom's position in space research for the benefit of humanity.

According to the SSA, the initiative is overseen by astronaut Rayyana Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut, and focuses on creating a specialized research community in biomedical microgravity studies. It includes a select group of scientists and researchers from various universities, scientific centers, and relevant private-sector organizations in the Kingdom. It aims to broaden local capabilities and build specialized scientists in the field of biomedical sciences.

The initiative, SSA said, intends to develop human capital, strengthen scientific and research capabilities, and inspire future generations in the Kingdom. It seeks to maximize business opportunities in the space sector by supporting space missions through advanced research, thereby enhancing the Kingdom's scientific standing on both regional and global scales.
The SSA, through this initiative, aims to contribute to improving global health by developing advanced biomedical technologies through microgravity research. Its commitment aligns with the Kingdom's efforts to foster a culture of innovation and to develop and enhance national capabilities, thus fulfilling its ambitious aspirations in space research as outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030.