Tag Archives: banksy

Work of the Week! WOW! Banksy – Grin Reaper (Red Reaper)

Posted on by in - WOW!

Banksy
Grin Reaper (Red Reaper)
2005
Screenprint
30 3/8 x 19 5/8 in.
Unique Artist Proof (A.P.) outside of the regular edition of 300
Pencil signed, dated and annotated A.P.

*Accompanied with a COA by Pest Control

This week’s Work of the Week – WOW!!! is the Grin Reaper. Only this work is a rare one of a kind unique Artist’s Proof.

There are quite a few differences between this version of Banksy’s Grin Reaper, and the regular edition version. (See photos below). This version of Banksy’s Grin Reaper, is an extremely rare unique one of a kind screenprint.

The differences are:

– The Reaper’s cloak is red, instead of black

– His scythe is red, instead of black, and the blade has metallic silver highlights

– The clock is metallic silver, instead of white

– The Reaper’s bones (skeleton) is also silver instead of white

– There is a matching silver border around the print

– This work is untrimmed, and larger measuring 30 3/8 x 19 5/8 in. (77 x 50 cm)
– The regular edition is 27 1/2 x 17 5/8 in. (70 x 44 cm)

This work is certified authentic by Pest Control, and is even titled the “Red Reaper” on the COA. It is an Artist’s Proof (AP), outside of the edition.

This is a rare, unique, one of a kind print

Unique Artist Proof

Regular Edition of 300

Banksy’s “Grin Reaper” is one of the artist’s most iconic images. Banksy’s original regular edition print was first released in 2005, as an edition of 300 pieces, and existed as a graffiti piece on Old Street, London. The work was originally part of ‘pop up shop’ exhibitions by Banksy.

This screen print by Banksy shows a grim reaper, with a comical twist. The reaper holds his traditional scythe, and he is sitting, casually on the top of a clock. It is five minutes to midnight, presumably the reaper is awaiting for the clock to strike twelve, before enacting his grim duties! However, instead of the usual skeletal features associated with the reaper, his face has been replaced with a bright yellow smiley face.

This piece plays with the boundaries between good and evil, by taking a typical symbol of something ‘bad’ (the reaper) and countering that with something considered to be good… a smiley face. The bringer of Doom, is now perhaps, not so bad after all. Almost welcoming you to your fate.

WOW – Work Of the Week – Banksy “Grannies”

Posted on by in - WOW!
Grannies close up

Banksy
Grannies
2006
Screenprint
19 3/4 x 27 1/2 in.
Edition of 150
Pencil signed and numbered; accompanied with COA by PEST Control

About This Work:

Banksy is a British street artist and activist who, despite worldwide fame, has maintained anonymity. Although details of the artist’s life are largely unknown, it is thought that Banksy was born in Bristol more or less around 1974, and started his career in this city as a graffiti artist. 

Whether plastering cities with his trademark gangsta rat, painting imagined openings and building hotels in the West Bank barrier in Israel, or stenciling “we’re bored of fish” above a penguins’ zoo enclosure, Banksy creates street art with an irreverent wit and an international reputation that precedes his anonymous identity. “TV has made going to the theatre seem pointless, photography has pretty much killed painting” he says, “but graffiti has remained gloriously unspoilt by progress”.

Banksy’s work features striking and humorous images, occasionally combined with slogans. The message is usually anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment. Subjects often include rats, apes, policemen, soldiers, children, and the elderly.
As all Banksy fans know, the artist can be extremely edgy, political, satirical, and in the case of this Work Of the Week, Grannies, humorous as well. A humor that plays upon the evident contrast and contradiction that lays in the image of two old, extremely British ladies knitting sweaters that say PUNK IS NOT DEAD or THUG FOR LIFE.

Banksy’s works need no explanation. Through his crafted signature and his immediately identifiable graphic style, he critically examines contemporary issues of consumerism, political authority, terrorism, and the status of art and its display. Grannies is another perfect example of how Banksy’s work can be thought-provoking, intense, shocking, intriguing and funny.

WOW – Work Of the Week – Banksy “Donut (Chocolate)”

Posted on by in - WOW!
Donuts Chocolate

Banksy
Donut (Chocolate)
2009
Screenprint
22 x 30 in.
Edition of 299
Pencil signed and numbered; accompanied with Certificate of Authenticity by PEST Control

About This Work:

Banksy is a British street artist and activist who, despite worldwide fame, has maintained anonymity. Although details of the artist’s life are largely unknown, it is thought that Banksy was born in Bristol more or less around 1974, and started his career in this city as a graffiti artist. 

His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti executed in a very personal and distinctive stenciling technique.
It is thought that Banksy started as a freehand graffiti artist in 1990 – 1994 as a member of Bristol’s DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ). Banksy has always said that one of his main sources of inspiration is 3D.

Banksy’s work features striking and humorous images, occasionally combined with slogans. The message is usually anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment. Subjects often include rats, apes, policemen, soldiers, children, and the elderly.
As all Banksy fans know, the artist can be extremely edgy, political, satirical, and in the case of this work of the week, Chocolate Donut, humorous as well.

This work, Donut (Chocolate), needs no explanation. It is simply a spoof on the stereotype that American policemen are infatuated with donuts.
Again, another perfect example of how Banksy’s work can be thought-provoking, intense, shocking, intriguing and humorous.

In 2014, Banksy was regarded as a British cultural icon, with young adults from abroad naming the artist among a group of people that they most associated with UK culture, which included William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth II, David Beckham, The Beatles, and Elton John.

His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world. As of today, his work can be found in countless cities, from Vienna to San Francisco, Barcelona to Paris and Detroit. 
It is thought that Banksy currently lives and works in England.
His last “face-to-monkey mask” interview took place in 2003.