A humble fruit vendor from New York City is grappling with the astonishing fate of a banana he sold for just 35 cents.
The banana became the centerpiece of a viral artwork titled Comedian by renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and was auctioned at Sotheby’s for a staggering $6.2 million.
The vendor, Shah Alam, a 74-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant, learned of the banana’s extraordinary journey from a reporter and was overcome with emotion.
“I am a poor man,” Alam said through tears. “I have never had this kind of money; I have never seen this kind of money.”
Comedian, which features a banana duct-taped to a wall, was created as a satirical commentary on the absurdity of the art world, where value often hinges on price tags rather than substance. The artwork debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, sparking debates and memes globally.
Earlier this month, Sotheby’s auctioned the piece to Justin Sun, the Chinese founder of a cryptocurrency platform. The bidding began at $800,000 and escalated rapidly, with the banana fetching $5.2 million plus over $1 million in auction-house fees—all within five minutes. The artwork’s unique “maintenance requirement” involves replacing the banana once or twice a week to preserve its appearance.
Shah Alam: The vendor behind the viral banana
Alam, who works outside Sotheby’s on the Upper East Side for $12 an hour, remains bewildered by the concept of Comedian. “Those who bought it, what kind of people are they?” he asked. “Do they not know what a banana is?”
A widower who moved to the U.S. in 2007, Alam lives in a cramped basement apartment in the Bronx with five other men. Despite working 12-hour shifts four days a week, he earns just $576 weekly, which he uses to pay $500 in rent and support himself.
Reactions: Art vs. accountability
Maurizio Cattelan, the artist behind Comedian, expressed his emotions about Alam’s story but offered no tangible assistance. “The reaction of the banana vendor moved me deeply,” Cattelan told The New York Times.
However, he added, “Art, by its nature, does not solve problems.” Cattelan did not receive a direct payment from the Sotheby’s sale, but his response has drawn criticism for its lack of support for Alam.
Justin Sun, the billionaire buyer of Comedian, took a more philanthropic approach. On Twitter, Sun announced plans to purchase 100,000 bananas from Alam’s fruit stand.
“These bananas will be distributed free worldwide through his stand,” Sun tweeted, though he did not elaborate on the logistics. Meanwhile, an anonymous New Yorker launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Alam. Identified only as “JS,” the organizer pledged to match the first $5,000 raised dollar-for-dollar. By Thursday night, the campaign had garnered $8,600.
A symbol of inequality
Alam’s story has become a flashpoint for debates on wealth disparity and the surreal economics of the art world. For a man who earns his living selling fruit, the saga of the $6.2 million banana underscores a stark contrast between his everyday struggles and the excesses of modern art. “I just want to live a better life,” Alam said, his voice trembling. For many, his story highlights the human cost hidden behind headlines of extravagance.
