Buy Banksy Happy Chopper Signed & Unsigned Print

Happy Choppers originally appeared as a street art piece at the Whitecross Street Market, London in 2002. Like with many other works, Banksy has since repurposed his image with it becoming one of the most recognisable of all of the artist’s pieces. The helicopter motif, aside from the print run of 33 Aps, 150 signed and 600 unsigned works, can also be found in both works on canvas and in the landscape of two of the artist’s Crude Oils series. The screen-print versions of Happy Choppers, like a number of other prints including but not limited to Radar Rat and Bomb Middle England.
Much like many of Banksy’s works, motifs and imagery ‘Happy Choppers’ has become a modern icon identifiable across the world by both those familiar and unfamiliar with the artist. The screen print was first released in 2003 as an edition of 750 pieces with just 150 signed prints, 33 of which are artist’s proofs, and 600 unsigned prints. Created for a Christmas art exhibition entitled Santa’s Ghetto, created by Banksy as a way to draw attention to the Israel Palestine conflict, Happy Chopper’s is arguably one of the artist’s most famous pieces. 

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.

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, Golf Sale and Napalm 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.

Buy Happy Choppers Print by Banksy

Andipa Editions, as part of Andipa, have been at the forefront of the Banksy secondary market for over 15 years. To enquire about buying a Happy Choppers print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371.

Sell Happy Choppers Print by Banksy

With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Banksy Happy Choppers print. Straight-forward and stress-free, we manage the process on your behalf and help to maximise your return. For a complimentary valuation of your Happy Choppers print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371.