Artist who 'kidnapped' Banksy's sculpture opposes sale of stolen statue

artist who 'kidnapped Bansky's sculpture accuses Soby's of selling 'stolen statue'. satirical statue was 'kidnapped' from its original place by a fellow British artist called Andy Link. statue later disappeared from his yard only to resurface in an auction listing.

Re:  Banksy: World's Most Mysterious And Elusive Street Artist

Re: Banksy's 'Devolved Parliament' Full Of Chimpanzees Sells For £9.8 Mn

Satirical statue 'Kidnapped'

' Drinker' as statue is called was originally left by anymous British artist on display in 2004 in a small square near Shaftesbury Avenue in London. It was n that statue was kidnapped by fellow British artist and founder of Art Kieda collective Andy Link, who registered his found property with police. Link allegedly asked Banksy for a ransom but elusive street artist was only willing to offer a mere 2 euros for price of fuel can so that Link may set artwork on fire. Link allegedly held on to statue till 2006, at which point monumental statue went missing from his back garden with thief only leaving orange traffic cone behind.

Can you claim something you kidnapped?

Link reported case of missing statue to police at time but law enforcement was t able to track down artwork. " Drinker" only resurfaced this autumn in catalogue of Soby's Contemporary Curated auction. auction house claims that sculpture was acquired by its current owner through Banksy's former dealer Steve Lazarides in 2014, without making any mention of Link.
An hour before sale was due to start sculpture was removed from listing and auction house did t share any details as to reason why it was removed.
Drinker was originally estimated to see for between $970,950 to $1.29 million.
This controversy comes only a few weeks after Banksy dominated Soby's Frieze Week auctions with his 'Devolved Parliament'.
satirical painting sold for $12.1 million.

Re: Spruced Up Pallava-era Sculptures Rey For PM Modi, Xi Jinping Visit

Re: In Pictures | Street Artist Banksy Paints Paris With Works On Migrants, Here’s Story Behind m