Tron founder, Justin Sun, bought duct-taped banana artwork for $6.2 million at New York auction

A duct-taped banana, part of a conceptual art piece titled "Comedian" by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, sold for an astonishing $6.2 million at Sotheby’s auction in New York on Wednesday.

The winning bid came from Justin Sun, the founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON, who plans to consume the banana as part of a "unique artistic experience."

The artwork, which debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, originally sold for $120,000–$150,000 per edition and became a cultural sensation.

The piece features a simple store-bought banana duct-taped to a wall, challenging perceptions of art and its value. Its initial debut caused a stir when an artist ate the banana, raising questions about the limits of art and performance.

Auction Sparks Bidding Frenzy

Bidding for the artwork began at $800,000, with the auctioneer adding levity by urging participants not to let the artwork “slip away.”

After six minutes of intense competition, Sun secured the winning bid at $5.2 million, plus $1 million in fees. The sale marked a record-breaking price for "Comedian", exceeding its estimated value of $1–1.5 million by over four times.

H.E. Justin Sun 🍌 on X: "I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve bought the banana🍌 !!! @SpaceX @Sothebys I am Justin Sun, and I’m excited to share that I have successfully acquired Maurizio Cattelan’s iconic work, Comedian for $6.2 million. This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon.

Sun took to social media to express his excitement, calling the purchase a “cultural phenomenon” that bridges art, cryptocurrency, and memes.

He also revealed his plan to eat the banana, maintaining that the act will continue the artwork’s provocative legacy.

Certificate of Authenticity Holds Key Value

Though the banana itself is replaceable, Sun purchased a certificate of authenticity that allows him to recreate the piece using any banana and duct tape.

This makes "Comedian" less about the physical components and more about the concept and rights to its reproduction.

Art Meets Controversy

The auction reignited discussions on the intersection of art, absurdity, and value. Critics question whether "Comedian" symbolizes the commodification of art or a commentary on the art world's eccentricities.

This isn’t the first time the banana has been consumed. In 2019, artist David Datuna ate the original piece during its Miami debut. Last year, a student in Seoul followed suit, eating the banana on display and re-taping the peel to the wall.

Sun’s acquisition of "Comedian" has cemented his place at the intersection of tech, art, and pop culture. Whether eaten or displayed, the duct-taped banana continues to capture the imagination—and wallets—of the art world.