Banksy
The name Banksy ignites controversy, starts conversations and piques curiosity. Banksy is undoubtedly the most controversial street artist to emerge on the global stage. The fact that his identity remains unknown after 20 years on the graffiti scene only adds to the intrigue that surrounds his work. The works of Banksy have appeared in America, Australia, Canada, England, France, Israel, Jamaica and Palestine. Wherever Banksy goes, he makes an impact. His pictorial and satirical messages cross the boundaries between art, philosophy, politics, sociology, humor and narcissism.
Long since sold out, highly sought after, and looking back went for what now seems like peanuts. ‘Queen Vic’ and ‘Girl With Balloon’, two of Banksy’s early limited edition prints, have made there way back to artrepublic Soho and still look absolutely fantastic.
‘Banksy Queen Vic’ the painting that proved too rude for the street (they were all very swiftly cleaned off) is one of Banksy’s very first editions and comes up for sale very rarely due to it sheer popularity and age. Released initially as an unsigned screenprint edition of 600 back in 2003, the same year as Banksy’s debut ‘Rude Copper’; it was later revisited when a signed edition of only 50 appeared.
'Banksy Girl With Balloon' is widely respected as the most popular artwork Banksy has produced. It successfully combines a very sweet, appealing image, with an underlying notion of lost youth. Seen in various guises, sometimes the girl on the right with the balloon on the left, sometimes separated as two unattached pieces, but the classic image is as we see here.
