This year, the art world was filled with dramatic, boundary-pushing moments that captured global attention. From environmental activists making bold statements on historic landmarks to record-breaking auction sales, the cultural landscape has been anything but quiet.
High-profile art thefts, street art surprises and provocative installations stirred debate and fascination, reflecting both the power of art and its volatile place in society. Whether challenging traditions, breaking records or sparking controversy, these moments shaped 2024’s art scene in unforgettable ways.
Keep reading to dive deeper into these events.
Stonehenge Vandalized
Just Stop Oil
Just Stop Oil activists sprayed orange powdered paint on Stonehenge, defacing the historic site near Salisbury, Wiltshire, on June 19, just before the summer solstice—a date linked to ancient rituals. The group said the paint would wash away with rain, but experts have assessed potential damage.
The act drew sharp criticism, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling it a “disgraceful act of vandalism.” This incident is part of a broader pattern by the group, known for targeting cultural landmarks to raise awareness about the climate crisis.
The King Defaced
Animal Rising
In June, King Charles III’s first official portrait, painted by Jonathan Yeo, stirred controversy over its crimson background, which some linked to British imperialism. The uproar escalated when Animal Rising activists defaced the artwork at London’s Philip Mould Gallery on June 19, adding a cartoon of Wallace & Gromit’s Wallace with a message condemning cruelty on RSPCA-approved farms.
Animal Rising accused the RSPCA of failing to protect animals and urged King Charles to reconsider his ties to the organization. Philip Mould confirmed the painting was undamaged and remains on display with heightened security until June 21. The RSPCA promised to investigate but denounced illegal protest tactics. The activists left peacefully and police were notified.
First Stegosaurus Fossil Auctioned
Matthew Sherman/ Sotheby’s
In July, the first Stegosaurus fossil ever auctioned sold for a record $44.6 million USD at Sotheby’s New York, surpassing its $6 million USD estimate and breaking the $31.8 million USD record set by the T-Rex fossil “Stan” in 2020. Named “Apex,” the fossil was unearthed in 2022 in Moffat County, Colorado, a hotspot for paleontology.
Jason Cooper, the paleontologist who discovered Apex on his 45th birthday, collaborated with Sotheby’s to document the process, from excavation to mounting. This sale marked a historic moment in the fossil auction market.
NYC’s Mascot
The Highline NYC
In July, a towering 16-foot pigeon sculpture by Colombian artist Iván Argote, aptly named Dinosaur, was announced for the High Line in Manhattan. Pigeons, often overlooked compared to majestic birds like eagles, take center stage in Argote’s playful yet poignant creation, which was perched at Tenth Avenue and 30th Street throughout October.
Argote reimagines the pigeon, New York’s unofficial mascot, as a symbol of resilience and humanity. In his words, the bird embodies both marginalization and connection, often forming bonds with those living on the streets. “Pigeons do very human stuff, like taking the subway,” he reflects, highlighting their uncanny parallels to urban life.
Banksy’s London Zoo
Banksy
In August, Banksy concluded his week-long “London Zoo” series with two final works: a wild cat on a Cricklewood billboard and a police box turned piranha tank in London’s financial district. Throughout the week, he unveiled daily animal silhouettes across the city, including a goat in Richmond, elephants in Chelsea, monkeys on a Brick Lane overpass, a wolf in Peckham, and pelicans in Walthamstow.
Fans speculated on deeper meanings, from societal scapegoating to environmental themes, but Banksy’s Pest Control Office clarified the works were simply meant to spark joy and creativity. The art transformed urban spaces into playful visuals, like monkeys swinging from an overpass or a cat stalking greenery.
Blockchain Billionaire Eats the Banana
Han Haidan
Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian—a banana duct-taped to a wall—sold for $6.2 million USD at Sotheby’s in November, marking a cultural milestone. Debuting at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019 for $120,000–$150,000 USD, the work’s latest buyer, crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, drew attention with his pledge to eat the banana post-purchase.
Adding to the buzz, Sotheby’s executive Michael Bouhanna minted a meme coin of the artwork, attracting two bidders who later invested in the cryptocurrency. The banana, purchased for $0.35 from a Manhattan fruit stand, has since become a symbol of art market absurdity, crypto’s role in contemporary art and economic disparity.
A Botched Warhol Robbery
Anthony Devlin/Getty Images
In November, two screenprints from Andy Warhol’s “Reigning Queens” series were stolen during a botched robbery at MPV Gallery in Oisterwijk, Netherlands. Thieves exploded the gallery doors and took the portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe II, but the artworks didn’t fit in their getaway car. The prints of Queen Mother Ntfombi of Eswatini and Dutch Princess Beatrix were discarded in the street.
Police later recovered the getaway vehicle and detained one suspect. Gallery owner Mark Peet Visser criticized the criminals’ unprofessionalism, noting the prints were unsellable due to their documentation.
