Banksy Applause Signed & Unsigned Print For Sale

Banksy's Applause was first released in 2006 in canvas format during the famous Barely Legal exhibition which took place in a Los Angeles warehouse. In addition to the canvas, 100 unsigned prints were also released for and sold fo $500 each.
Applause was released as part of the iconic Barely Legal set that includes Grannies, Trolleys, Morons, Festival and Trolleys. The huge size of Applause, some 80 x 112cm makes Applause the largest sized Banksy print. 
The work depicts a fighter jet on the runway of an aircraft carrier and is based on a well-known image of former US President George W. Bush delivering the mission accomplished speech following the "successful" Iraqi invasion. Flanking the jet are two air traffic controllers clad in bright yellow, high-vis jackets and preparing the fighter jet for take-off. One of the controllers is holding a sign on which is written the word APPLAUSE in capital letters, like those employed in comedy theatres to ask the audience to cheer on cue.

Military motifs are a recurring theme for Banksy that he has used throughout his career. Often juxtaposed with humour, wit and satire works such as Have a Nice Day, Happy Choppers and Golf Sale all illustrate Banksy's ability to comment on the machinery of war placing it within the context of our 21st century reality. Explore other Banksy prints for sale.