Original Banksy artwork — a whopping 7,500-pound piece titled “Battle To Survive a Broken Heart” — will be on display downtown, but New Yorkers have to hurry to take a peek.
The graffiti art that graces a Red Hook warehouse wall is getting some time in the spotlight at the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place after remaining in storage for a decade. On view until May 21st, the iconic 6 x 9-foot work is being auctioned by Guernsey’s, with part of the proceeds going towards the American Heart Association.
You’ve likely seen the heart-shaped balloon with Band-Aids when it made its 2013 debut in Brooklyn, but now is the time to revisit the famed painting.
All about Banksy’s artwork, “Battle To Survive a Broken Heart”
For those who need a memory jog, here’s how “Battle To Survive a Broken Heart” came to be: Vassilios Georgiadis, a roofing and asbestos abatement contractor in Red Hook, noticed a van parked by his business and warned the driver that it probably wouldn’t be a good place to park. What he didn’t realize is that the man was Banksy, who disregarded the parking warning, remained in the area until Georgiadis left, and ultimately used his business as a canvas.
“I had a lot of people’s graffiti on that wall,” Vassilios’ son, Anastasios Georgiadis, told The New York Times. “Doing business, people see that, they don’t like that, so I painted it over. I guess [Bansky] saw an opportunity.”
The floating Mylar balloon mural quickly became the talk of the city — no surprise there. Sadly, rival artist “Omar NYC” defaced the piece with the public watching. Banksy, however, didn’t let that stop him. According to Brookfield Place, he returned to Red Hook for a touch-up — the only time he has ever been known to re-work his art.
Needless to say, this piece is truly an anomaly and worth a visit. After you’ve taken a look at “Battle To Survive a Broken Heart,” make sure the city’s best outdoor art installations are also on your radar.
📍 The Winter Garden at Brookfield Place: 230 Vesey Street
🗓️ Until Wednesday, May 21st
⏰ Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 11am-6pm