Man Eats $6.2m Banana Artwork, Calling It a “Cultural Experience”

Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun made headlines by eating a banana he purchased as part of a $6.2 million (£4.9 million) art piece called Comedian. The controversial artwork, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, consists of a single banana duct-taped to a white wall.

It first gained fame at Art Basel in Miami Beach in 2019, sparking debates about its value as art and whether it was a joke or social commentary on the art world.

Sun, the founder of cryptocurrency TRON, purchased the piece at a Sotheby’s auction in New York last week. The Chinese-born businessman immediately announced his intention to eat the banana, framing it as part of the artwork’s unique cultural significance.

At a press conference held at a Hong Kong hotel, the 34-year-old finally fulfilled his promise. After taking a bite of the banana, he told reporters, "It’s much better than other bananas. It’s really quite good."

Sun had previously described Comedian as a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and cryptocurrency.

“In the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture,” he had vowed. True to his word, Sun not only consumed the artwork but also reaffirmed its place in the ongoing discussion about the definition of art.

The banana used in Comedian was originally purchased for just 25 cents (20p) but has since become an online sensation. The piece comes with a certificate of authenticity that allows the owner to replace the banana indefinitely, meaning Sun can duct-tape any banana to a wall and call it Comedian.

Despite the high price tag, this isn’t the first time the banana has been eaten. In 2019, a performance artist removed and consumed the fruit in front of onlookers. More recently, in May 2023, a South Korean student did the same, reigniting discussions about the nature of art.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Sun is a notable figure in the cryptocurrency world. He recently invested $30 million into President-elect Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency project.

His decision to purchase and eat Comedian highlights his flair for publicity and his desire to challenge conventional views on art and its value.

The story of Comedian continues to captivate audiences, blending elements of art, humor, and social commentary. For Sun, consuming the banana was more than a snack—it was an act of performance art in itself, adding another layer to the piece’s history.

Whether viewed as a cultural statement or a playful stunt, the act has solidified Comedian as one of the most talked-about and unconventional artworks in modern history.