Lot Essay
Banksy, the artist famed for his dark and satirical graffiti work, uses city walls as a platform for his criticism of the state. He considers street art as an antidote to historical art world traditions. These not-for-profit means of expression engage the passer-by in dialogues concerning cultural icons and distributions of power and wealth.
His trademark stencilled subversions of commercial iconography feature in Di-faced tenners. The inspiration comes from his original piece in Farringdon from 2005, featuring these printed notes spilling from a painted cash machine. In mass printed form, we reflect on Princess Diana as a media icon and cultural commodity. The printing and defacing of bank notes is itself illegal. In disregarding this law, Banksy calls into question the authority of money and its associations with a corporation-driven economy.
The proceeds for the sale of lots 212, 220 and 290 will go towards the redevelopment of the Saint Barnabas Church Hall as a hub for professional and community-based art activity in Hackney.
His trademark stencilled subversions of commercial iconography feature in Di-faced tenners. The inspiration comes from his original piece in Farringdon from 2005, featuring these printed notes spilling from a painted cash machine. In mass printed form, we reflect on Princess Diana as a media icon and cultural commodity. The printing and defacing of bank notes is itself illegal. In disregarding this law, Banksy calls into question the authority of money and its associations with a corporation-driven economy.
The proceeds for the sale of lots 212, 220 and 290 will go towards the redevelopment of the Saint Barnabas Church Hall as a hub for professional and community-based art activity in Hackney.