Banksy mural, torn by thieves from London wall, offered for auction in Miami

In what is surely one of the most brazen efforts yet to “monetize” public art, a mural by the famous graffiti artist Banksy, cut from a London wall, has found its way into a Miami art auction.

But Banksy, a mysterious and reclusive figure, refuses to authenticate his works if they are removed from the original location. So is it worthless? A valiant London city councillor is leading the campaign for the mural’s return to its natural habitat.