What is an Artist Proof?
Traditionally the artist would take the proof straight off the printing press and amend the colours and quality. Then, once the artist was happy with the proof, they would then proceed with the limited edition print.Generally, the first test prints created that the artist is completely satisfied with, would be classed as artist proof. 'Artists Proofs' are also known as épreuve d'artiste in French, A.P, A/P and AP.
Flying Copper Pink
Flying Copper is one of Banksy’s most popular and recognisable prints. Produced in 2003, the screenprints were released as 150 signed and 600 unsigned editions as well as 63 APs with pink backgrounds and 8 APs with a pink face. Rumour has it that the rare pink-faced versions were released in collaboration with Banksy’s original agent Steve Lazarides and sold for £40 each from the back of his car. Flying Copper shows a riot policeman dressed in full combat gear equipped with a machine gun, helmet and walkie talkie. However, inhabiting the place of the character’s face is a large, round yellow (or pink) smiley face which is commonly associated with the Acid-house movement of the early 90’s.
Jack and Jill Pink
Police Kids, also known as Jack and Jill, is a 2005 screen-print by Banksy. Released in a limited edition of 350 and 32 pink background APs. Named after the English nursery rhyme of the same name, the powerful work can be placed within the artist’s wider notions of society, the establishment and subversion of expectations. Childhood innocence, a recurring motif in many of the artist’s works, features heavily in the piece. The focus of the artwork are two children, a boy and girl, who are holding hands and appear to be skipping into the foreground and towards the viewer. With beaming smiles full of joy, the girl holds a traditional wicker basket full of flowers. Shattering the illusion of peace we notice the Kevlar jackets that are emblazoned with the word “POLICE” that powerfully sit above the children’s typical clothing.
Gangsta Rat
Rats are one of Banksy’s most prolific subjects, and Gangsta Rat is a truly iconic Banksy artwork. The screen print first appeared in 2004 in the red colorway with a limited edition of 350 signed and unsigned pieces, and was re-released in 2005 in an edition of 500. Banksy also created rare colorways of Gangsta Rat (Pink) in an edition of 64 and Gangsta Rat (Green) in an edition of 20 in 2004, and released a special VIP collector set at Dismaland in 2015.
8 Turquoise
61 Blue
20 Green
46 Lurid pink
Girl with Balloon (Gold/Pink/Purple/Blue)
Arguably Banksy’s most famous work and an image that is recognised across the globe, Girl with Balloon was was released between 2004/5 by Pictures on Walls as a signed edition of 150 and an unsigned edition of 600. Proving instantly popular with collectors, the work captures the stencil style of graffiti that Banksy became renowned for. In addition to the signed and unsigned red versions of Girl With Balloon there also exist a number of other AP versions including: Girl With Balloon Colour AP (Purple) and Girl With Balloon Colour AP (Gold), Girl With Balloon Colour AP (Blue) Girl With Balloon Colour AP (Pink). All AP versions are extraordinarily rare and belong to a combined edition of 88.
Buy Girl with Balloon by Banksy.
NOLA AP Blue to Green
All the Nola prints are highly collectable and sought after. In 2008, Banksy released a set of extremely limited Nola Artist's Proofs print runs with 6 different multi-coloured rain colour ways directly to VIP collectors.
(Multicolour Rain): 66 signed AP - 6 different colourways of various multicolour rain. Buy NOLA by Banksy.
For more information on our Banksy paintings for sale or to buy Banksy prints, contact Andipa via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7581 1244. Alternatively, sell your Banksy print with Andipa or find out more about selling Banksy paintings and artworks.