Kissing Coppers Head For America

Kissing Coppers, the work of anti-establishment street artist Banksy, is to leave Brighton and head for America. Originally created on the side of the Prince Albert Pub, the artwork had to be removed because of vandalism. The artwork belongs to the Pub and after several attacks, the owner decided to remove the image in order to protect it. The original was transferred to canvas, and a replica put in it's place.

The iconic image depicts two male police officers in an intimate embrace, and was created seven years ago after an emissary for Banksy obtained permission by the owner of the Pub.  It appears that in this new age of austerity Britain, Mr Steward, the owner, has decided that the funds raised will be used to help sustain the pubs future.

Kissing coppers will go on display at the Kezler Gallery New York, during the summer. It is estimated that the image will fetch in the region of £500,000-£1 million. Residents of Brighton, the artists's hometown and the region which is renowned for its non conformist culture, are said to be angry about the sale, believing that the artwork should stay on the street. This piece of street art can also be seen in the movie 'Children Of Men.'

The provocative images produced by Banksy, illustrate his anti-war, anti-capitalism stance. As a supporter of the Palestinian struggle for freedom, the artist used the 425 mile long, illegal, apartheid wall, which separates Israel and the Palestinian territories, as his canvas. There are nine images in total, which are all on the Palestinian side.  An outspoken critic of the apartheid wall, Banksy is reported as saying “ The segregation wall is a disgrace... The possibility I find exciting, is that you can turn the world's most invasive and degrading structure, into the world's longest gallery of free speech and bad art.”

The anti-establishment artists work, has fetched eye watering sums of money at auction. Space Girl and the bird, fetched £288,000 ($580,000) Bombing Middle England, £102,000,  Balloon Girl, £37,200 and Bomb Hugger £31,200.

After some of his works sold for record amounts of money at auction, the artist famously updated his web site with an image of people in an auction house bidding on a picture that said “I can't believe you morons actually buy this shit.”

Banksy's true identity still remains a mystery, as his works, which adorn many public places in London, Bristol and beyond, are considered criminal by the British authorities...…