Ead the passage from the beginning of "Banksy and the Tradition of Destroying Art." When the British street artist Banksy shredded his "Girl With Balloon” after it was purchased for US $1.4 million at Sotheby’s, did he know how the art world would react?

Did he anticipate that the critics would claim that the work, in its partially shredded state, would climb in value to at least $2 million? That the purchaser would not object and would instead rejoice?

We have no way of really knowing, though the famously anonymous artist did suggest that the shredder malfunctioned: The painting was supposed to be fully shredded, not partially destroyed.

As an art historian, I view his act in a larger context—as the latest example of artists deploying guerrilla tactics to expose their disdain for the critics, dealers, gallery owners and museum curators whom they depend on for their livelihood.

Which statement best summarizes the thesis of this text?

a. Artists appreciate the critics who embrace their work.
b. Artists destroy their work to send a message to the art world.
c. Banksy created a piece called "Girl With Balloon."
d. Banksy only partially destroyed his artwork.