A 74-year-old fruit vendor from New York’s Upper East Side named Shah Alam is grappling with unexpected feelings of disappointment after a banana he sold for just 35 cents was recently auctioned off for a staggering $6.2 million. This banana was part of an art piece called “Comedian,” created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, which gained significant attention after being taped to a gallery wall.
Alam, who struggles with limited English and has nearly lost his eyesight, expressed disbelief over the sale price. “I got 35 cents. The other guy got $6 million,” he lamented while selling fruit outside Sotheby’s auction house. This shocking revelation came to him through a reporter, leaving him feeling gutted and overwhelmed.
The banana, linked to Alam’s humble fruit cart, was sold at an auction that garnered attention not only for the outrageous price but also for the controversial nature of the piece itself. It was auctioned by Sotheby’s on behalf of an anonymous collector, who confirmed the banana’s origin from Alam’s cart.
Despite his hard work running the fruit stand for long hours at a low wage, Alam feels he has missed out on a life-changing opportunity. Following the sale, billionaire Justin Sun, the new owner of the banana artwork, announced plans to buy 100,000 bananas from Alam’s cart, intending to distribute them for free to the public. However, the logistics of this promise remain unclear, and Alam appeared unaware of the offer when approached about it.
In a heartening turn, a GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting Alam was launched, raising almost $14,000, well beyond its initial goal of $5,000. The person behind the campaign, known only by their initials, expressed concern over the disparity between the vendor’s situation and the wealth generated from his contribution to the artwork, prompting many to reflect on the values of society.
Customer Juan Posada, who frequents Alam’s cart from Spain, criticized the current state of New York, saying, “This is the most absurd thing I’ve ever seen.” The situation highlights the often puzzling intersections of art, commerce, and the lives of everyday individuals, questioning the fairness in the economic disparities at play in a city known for its hustle and bustle.
