Happy Choppers
Typical of Banksy, the artwork fuses together dark humour, politics and comedic juxtaposition in his instantly familiar style and execution. ‘Happy Choppers’, a potential reference to the London based mini-market Happy Shopper, shows a group of armed military helicopters (Apaches) in flight formation against a bright blue sky. Stylised and cartoonish white clouds reminiscent of crisp candy floss peaks and Super Nintendo era Mario backgrounds dot the skyscape contrasting with the menacing tone of the helicopters. The incoming armed squadron move towards the viewer who is set in their sights and drawn into the piece. Dark colours and realistic stencil lines emphasise the threat of the choppers, armed bombs and weapons at the ready creating a sense of immediate and devastating danger.
Just what is it that makes this work so iconic? Whilst the subject matter of the piece is different from many other Banksy works the motifs and style certainly can be found in other works. It is this distinct style that is so well executed in this piece that. From the context around its creation to the work itself, Banksy is at his brilliant best.
Contradiction abounds in the work forming the central force that pulls the viewer in, sets the tone in terms of style and creates a work that shocks, surprises and draws a smile and spins them around like the blades of a helicopter. The choppers, lined in formation, aggressively detailed and ready for war are dis-armed, at least momentarily, by the childish pink bows and stylised sky. Jarring and snapping the viewer between realities, the work presents the helicopters in a childlike way, almost like toys in the imagination of a child, before their menace sets back in and we are reminded of the horrors of war. Military might and masculinity are neutered momentarily and rendered nul by the “girlish” bubblegum pink of the bow placed upon the cockpits of the aircraft.
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Anti-War Placards
Made in 2003 for the London protests against the Iraq War, Banksy created a series of placards that were given out to protestors. Featuring versions of Happy Choppers, Grin Reaper and Bomb Hugger the motifs were sprayed onto cardboard. The powerful works capture an artist who skillfully communicates deep and meaningful messages through seemingly simple imagery. The works, recognisable in all of their formats across the world, carry timeless messages and are a telling warning against the ravages and dangers of war.
CND Soldiers
Produced in 2003, the work first appeared outside the houses of Parliament during an anti-war protest led by Brian Haw who gained notoriety for living in parliament square for over a decade. Contextually, the work can be situated at the time when the UK’s participation during the Iraq War was facing a backlash amongst the general population who protested against the invasion which was subsequently ignored by parliament. Following the popularity and reach of the image, in 2005 Pictures on Walls released a print edition of the motif in editions of 350 signed, and 350 unsigned prints - unusual for a Banksy print as most signed and unsigned versions tend to differ in edition size.
CND Soldiers shows two soldiers in the process of graffiting a peace symbol on a wall. One soldier is looking over their shoulder whilst painting the blood red symbol with the other attentively crouched on look-out whilst holding a rifle. Replete with Banksy’s typical subversive wit and humour, the work is a brilliant example of juxtaposition with the soldiers, associated with both war and enacting orders from the government, breaking rank and in the rebellious act of protest.
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Heavy Weaponry
The striding elephant carries an ICBM missile on its back as it heads towards its unknown destination, perhaps unaware of the danger that it poses. Carrying a weapon of mass-destruction, the animal appears subjugated and resigned to its fate - perhaps a comment on how the working class can be pawns in the games of generals and powerless in having to blindly accept orders. Fitting into Banky’s wider anti-war message, the work can be read as a critique against war. The double meaning behind the naming of the piece and the weight of both the elephant and its cargo are typically Banksy showing that from early in his career visual and linguistics puns helped him to convey both a sense of humour and a deeper, heavier even, meaning. Much like many of the Banksy original artworks for sale, the work has since became a classic since its initial release.
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Napalm
If one had to choose a work that captures Banksy then Napalm would be a wise choice - humour, poignancy and cutting, barbed wit. A scintillating attack on commercialism and, specifically, American consumer culture, the work uses the famous and brutal image of Vietnamese girl Phan Thi Kim Phuc (taken by AP photographer Nick Ut) showing her injured and fleeing from a napalm attack. Holding her hand are two powerful symbols of consumerism - Mickey Mouse and Ronald Macdonald. Transforming these two characters, the work takes on a deeply sinister and disturbing tone as childhood and innocence are deeply subverted to create such intense juxtaposition. As collectors ourselves, we look for works that generate emotions and Napalm is such a work that touches and repulses all at once.
Discover our selection of Banksy prints for sale or buy original Banksy artworks. Contact Andipa Editions via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7589 2371 for further information on any of our Banksy artworks.