One of the first prints to be released by Banksy, Golf Sale is an early and recognisable work and virtually the same as the iconic 1989 Tiananmen Square Tank Man photograph shot by Jeff Widener which has since become a symbol for freedom and is one of the most famous images of the 20th century. The event which has gained infamy saw the Chinese state brutally suppress protestors who were part of the ‘89 Democracy Movement.

In the work, Banksy recreates the scene in his typical and recognisable stencil style. However, in Banksy’s version the protestor standing in front of the tank holds a sign that reads “Golf Sale” which recalls the placard signs commonly seen around high street in London and other city centres. In archetypal Banksy style, his biting wit and humour are immediately recognisable. A recurring subject in many of Banksy’s works, the anti-authoritarian message of the piece is perhaps the clearest. A critique on the state and on capitalism, Golf Sale is Banksy at his very best and most punchy.