One of Banksy’s main critiques of the artworld is its supposed elitism and the contention that he may see it as stale and repetitive. This desire to subvert and question establishment norms has seen him produce works that very much cement his outsider looking in view - attacking a system that represents injustice, elitism and traditionalism. Banksy appears to be critical of the commercial and critical art worlds that later assimilated these artists into the canon, erasing their unique voices and reaping the financial benefits they never enjoyed.
Crude Oils (Multiple Artists)
Originally taking place in 2005 in London Banksy’s Crude Oils exhibition was a major stepping stone within the artist's meteoric rise to both fame and wider popularity. The subversive show, which was held as a pop-up in Westbourne Grove, was officially subtitled as a gallery of, "Gallery of re-mixed masterpieces, vandalism and vermin".
Spanning just two days (22nd-24th October,) the small exhibition (complete with over 200 live rats running around the space) saw the infamous artist take on important works and motifs within art’s historical canon and showcased his knowledge of art as well as his biting satire and wit. The exhibition featured reworked versions of classic oil paintings by Vettriano, Hopper, Warhol, Monet, and van Gogh and, for the first time, showcased Banksy’s skill with a brush more so than with a spray can.
Van Gogh
Sunflowers From Petrol Station
Part of the Crude Oils series, a reimagining and reworking of classic artworks, the work was from the private collection of British designer Paul Smith. Famously reworking Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, the piece shows the petals falling limply from the famous motif. The work showcases not only Banksy’s ability as a painter, but also his ability to confront modern issues and the effects of global warming - thus a petrol station in the title. The work later went on to sell for circa £10.4m GBP and is one of Banksy’s most expensive paintings.
Morons
Morons was first released on Banksy’s own website following a record-breaking auction result for one of his canvases in 2007. Part of the infamous Barely Legal set, here are three editions of this work: 150 signed works with brown frame, 150 works with a gold frame (LA Edition) and 500 unsigned black and white works. The artwork satirises a historical photo of the 1987 auction at Christie’s London where Van Gogh’s Sunflowers was purchased for £64,389,919 GBP - at the time a record-setting amount for a work of art. Morons brilliantly pokes fun at and dismantles the precious artworld and, with it, calls into question the concept of value, the nature of art and critiques wider capitalist society. Buy Banksy Morons print.
Basquiat
Whilst being firmly rooted visually in Basquiat’s “Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump” Banksy reworks both the imagery and title of his version. Basuqiat’s original works creates a sweltering summer scene with the boy and dog melting around an open fire hydrant that spirts forth what looks like fire - a hellish interpretation of downtown New York in the 1980’s perhaps? One can imagine the scene that we may have witnessed in film with an open fire hydrant spraying a geyser of water into the air as child dance and play underneath the eruption.
According to the Gross Domestic Product pop-up website, Banksy’s Banksquiat is “A print made in homage to New York post-graffiti pioneer Jean-Michel Basquiat. In which Banksy is cleverly questioning the relentless commodification of Basquiat in recent times - by crassly adding to the relentless commodification of Basquiat in recent times.” Originally released in 2019 as part of the GDP pop-up in Croydon - the work exists as a signed edition of 300 in both black and grey. A deeper comment on the endless turning wheels of capitalism, Banksy pays homage to the great Jean-Michel Basquiat whilst appropriating the famous crown that the late artist used as part of his visual language.A few theories exist as to the meaning behind Basquiat’s use of the crown symbol. One suggests that it uses the letter W as a homage to his great friend and mentor Andy Warhol. Another suggests that the crown can symbolise Basquait’s likening himself to a king with his own ambition and brilliance. Finally, others have suggested that the crown is linked to black power and serves as a symbol of black empowerment.
Discover Jean-Michael Basquiat prints for sale or buy Banksy Banksquiat.
Warhol
Kate
Strike a pose! The colourful and bright work, Kate by Banksy was originally created in 2006 and released as an edition of signed prints. A further series was produced of 20 prints in a range of bright colours: 20 pink, 20 hot pink, 20 purple, 20 green, 20 apricot/gold and 20 blue/grey as well as a rate edition of 12 Artists Proofs. Paying homage to Andy Warhol’s Marilyn, the work features British supermodel Kate Moss as the subject of the work. Moss, who herself is a globally recognised figure, is treated like a modern-day Madonna in the rare work. A pastiche of pop-art or a commentary on modern icons and celebrity? In 2011, it was rumoured that Banksy gifted a unique version to the supermodel as a wedding gift where she mysteriously discovered the work in the bathroom of her hotel with no sign of entry or exit. Explore Andy Warhol’s Marilyn portfolio for sale or buy signed Andy Warhol prints.
Tesco Value Soup Can
Released as a signed version of 50 and unsigned version of 250 in a blue red and white colourway by Pictures on Walls in 2005, Banksy’s Soup Can can trace its inspiration to Andy Warhol’s famous series Campbell Soup Can. Certainly less romantic than the now mythologised Campbell’s soup brand, Banksy opts to use the fat less glamorous Tesco Value branding and logo for his work - firmly British and firmly marginalised as fare for the working classes. Taking the idea even further, Banksy, much like Warhol, released the motif in a range of different versions - in this case different colourways instead of flavours. In addition to the main blue, red and white colourway Banksy also released other colourways each consisting of an edition of 10.
Explore Andy Warhol’s Soup Can portfolio for sale.
Choose Your Weapon
Choose Your Weapon shows a youth in a hoodie whose face is covered and makes one recall the slogan of then Prime Minister David Cameron “Hug a Hoodie”. Holding a stylised dog, it in itself a reference to Keith Haring’s Barking Dogs series, the figure looks disenfranchised, sunken and is a parody of the media hysteria surrounding youth who wore hoods at the time. Likewise, the layered print also subverts the notion of man’s best friend and, instead of a friendly companion, the dog itself has become a weapon. Taking arms against the system and shining a light on those who are marginalised, Choose Your Weapon is one of the few Banksy works where the artist draws from street art iconography.
Haring's iconic dog figures are immediately recognizable with their wagging tails and joyful demeanour. These playful canine companions are a nod to Haring's own pet dog, but they also carry deeper symbolism. The dog, in Haring's work, represents loyalty, innocence, and the innate goodness of humanity. In the bustling urban landscape of 1980s New York, Haring saw the need for a return to these fundamental qualities, and his dogs served as a reminder of our shared humanity.
Discover Keith Haring original prints for sale.
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