What was the controversy surrounding Banksy's street art and how did it affect the art world?

Banksy, an anonymous British street artist, gained notoriety for his thought-provoking and often controversial street art, which has appeared in cities around the world. His works often comment on political and social issues and have become highly sought-after by collectors.

One of Banksy's most controversial pieces was 'Girl with Balloon,' which featured a young girl reaching for a red heart-shaped balloon. The piece was originally painted on a wall in east London in 2002 and has since been replicated on canvas and sold at auctions for millions of dollars.

In 2018, a print of 'Girl with Balloon' was sold at auction by Sotheby's in London for $1.4 million. As soon as the gavel fell, an alarm went off and the artwork began to shred itself through a shredder hidden in the frame. Banksy had orchestrated the stunt to protest against the commercialization of his work.

The incident sparked a major debate within the art world about the value of Banksy's work and whether the stunt increased or decreased its value. Some critics saw it as a way for Banksy to subvert the art market, while others saw it as a publicity stunt.

Despite the controversy, Banksy's street art continues to be highly sought-after and has had a major impact on the art world by challenging traditional notions of what constitutes art and where it should be displayed.