Brutal simplicity juxtaposes with complex subject matter whilst colour and composition interplay to produce a work that is intriguing, somber and beautiful. The canvas presents the viewer with the silhouettes of a boy and girl holding children's toys and a heart balloon as they face each other on top of a hill of guns. Like many of the artist’s works, contrast is central to the piece. War and violence, innocence and hope, destruction and love are all conjured up in typical Banksy style.
The heart motif - most famously found in Girl with Balloon - appears throughout Banksy’s works. Recalling other pieces such as Girl with TV and Love Rat, heart shaped motifs are often associated with the artist. Indeed, it is the artist’s ability to capture such deep, universal notions and emotions that, perhaps, allows his work to resonate so globally.
In addition, Kids on Guns is further part of the artist’s ability to disrupt the art-market and create his own rules and was part of an astonishing pop-up that the artist set up in Central Park in 2013. The unassuming stall, chaotically stacked with original paintings - some now valued in their millions - sat amongst cheap tourist souvenirs that can typically be found in tourist destinations across the world. Adding to the mystique and mystery around the artist, many collector’s not only appreciate Kids on Guns for its aesthetic beauty but as part of the artist’s wider intelligent pranks and larger ability to wonderfully create a new way to get his art to the public.
So why is Kids on Guns such a desirable work? Existing, as far as we know, as an edition of 25 single canvas works, the motif is immediately rarer than, for example, Girl with Balloon that exists as signed and unsigned prints and single and double canvases. Placed at this level, Kids on Guns can be seen as a much rarer artwork that still uses Banksy’s red heart motif and themes of innocence that can be acquired for much less than more notable (not necessarily better) pieces.
For more information on Kids on Guns and to speak to our gallery, contact sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7581 1244 where we would be delighted to arrange a viewing of the piece for you either in person or via video messenger. View more of our selection of Banksy art for sale or Banksy signed and unsigned prints.