BRISTOL.- Banksy’s Mobile Lovers has been sold to a private collector. All the proceeds will go to benefit Broad Plain Working With Young People.

Mary McCarthy of MM Contemporary Arts Ltd is the UK’s leading street art expert, and was called in to handle the sale of Mobile Lovers.

McCarthy says, “The significance of this work, and of the original placing of the work by Banksy, is immense. It's a seminal piece, pure Banksy, made even more remarkable by it's intent. It’s a very generous gesture, and it's noteworthy that an artist risen from the street has given back so prominently to the street. It's an extraordinary gift, both in the financial benefit to Broad Plain, and in the reminder to us of the immeasurable value of youth clubs. The sale of this work will enable future Banksys and other young people, to find a safe and creative haven in Broad Plain. There are many kids, and clubs, out there, still needing support, and I hope this will prompt awareness of the good these clubs do.”

The work is currently housed in the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, where is it has drawn tremendous crowds. The work has been bought by a private collector and will remain in the UK.

Dennis Stinchcombe of Broad Plain says, “Mobile Lovers been a fantastic gift to us, without it, the club would definitely have shut within the next 12 months or so. The sale of the work has given us a cushion, to assist us in carrying on with our valuable work with the young people of Bristol.”

The Broad Plain Boys’ Club has served Bristol's young people for 120 years. Founded in 1894, the club still serves as a centre point for the young people of Bristol, a testament to the valuable support it provides. The club’s motto is "Service Not Self”, and the club itself is now known as Broad Plain Working With Young People.

The artwork has been taken care of by Bristol City Council since mid-April when the city offered to display it securely at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, whilst all sides sought clarity over the artists’ intentions for the work. It also took the opportunity to encourage donations to the Club, raising over £2,000 in public donations the April Bank Holiday weekend.

George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, said: “This has been a great addition to the volumes of Bristol Banksy stories – with a magnificent outcome for Broad Plain.

We have been delighted to take care of Mobile Lovers and enable tens of thousands of visitors to appreciate it during its time at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. It’s also resulted in us raising further funds for the Club from visitor donations.

However this chapter comes to an end. I’m delighted with the outcome and grateful to Banksy for letting it be known that he would be happy for proceeds from a sale to benefit a Bristol club that does so much good for local young people."

Broad Plain will be sharing a portion of the proceeds with a number of other Voluntary Sector Youth Clubs across the City.

The Banksy legacy has enthused the young people of Broad Plain and Riverside Youth Projects to create their own “Thanks Banksy" wall in partnership with Young Bristol Creative Team . This will be erected on the Broad Plain boundary fence facing the M32 into Bristol, acting both as a geo- graphical pointer to the club, and as a visual thanks to Banksy himself.