Banksy’s powerful pachyderms certainly pack a punch and both works are early and rare examples of the stencil that the artist would later become known for. Both in technical execution and in messaging both works fit into the wider Banksy narrative of witty reversal and juxtaposition. Heavy Weaponry from the 2003 edition of 25 shows a single elephant marching across the canvas (some appear moving towards the left, other towards the right). The striding elephant carries an ICBM missile on its back as it heads towards its unknown destination, perhaps unaware of the danger that it poses. Carrying a weapon of mass-destruction, the animal appears subjugated and resigned to its fate - perhaps a comment on how the working class can be pawns in the games of generals and powerless in having to blindly accept orders. Fitting into Banky’s wider anti-war message, the work can be read as a critique against war. The double meaning behind the naming of the piece and the weight of both the elephant and its cargo are typically Banksy showing that from early in his career visual and linguistics puns helped him to convey both a sense of humour and a deeper, heavier even, meaning. Much like many of the Banksy original artworks for sale, the work has since became a classic since its initial release.
Like with many Banksy motifs, the elephant and rocket launcher have appeared in various formats and under various guises. The earlier, 2000 version from the edition of 10, titled “Heavy Weaponry: London, New York, Bristol” is one such example how the artist reimagines his works. This 2000 edition was exhibited the same year at the artist's first solo show held at the Severnshed restaurant, behind the docks in Bristol.
Here, we see a slightly more cartoonish elephant, overlaid onto a barcode with the cities London, New York and Bristol also on the olive green, military canvas. Each of these works are unique and slightly different with the names of the cities crossed giving them an anarchic and energetic feel. Placing this in the context of other Heavy Weaponry works, we see how the familiar motif is carried through across the years to new contexts and different executions such as in the 2003 version. This version was first
Banksy also donated a copy of Heavy Weaponry on wood reading ‘Fragile’ and ‘Protect from All Elements’ to the film star and philanthropist Leonardo DiCaprio in order to raise money for his foundation. Works by 33 well-known painters were auctioned in 2013 at Christie's in New York and raised over $38 million for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
On the work, Director Acoris Andipa says, “We have had the pleasure in dealing in many of both the versions of this early work and on each viewing I am still compelled. Typically Banksy, the pieces are classic works that can complement existing collections. For me, Heavy Weaponry is peering back into the annals of time at an important evolutionary part of Banksy’s output and career.”
For more information Banksy original art for sale or Banksy prints for sale, contact Andipa via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7581 1244.