Heavy Weaponry
The promise of death marches ever forward in the seminal Heavy Weaponry. Both in execution and theme the work fits into the wider Banksy narrative of witty juxtaposition. The motif of which has become a classic image of the artist and was adopted as a blind stamp for many of his prints, as well as his certificates of authenticity issued by his Pest Control organisation. Carrying a weapon of mass-destruction, the animal appears subjugated and resigned to its fate. Placing death at the forefront of one's mind, the animal represents death and destruction as we question man’s influence on nature. Death from natural causes is foregone as our man-made fate threatens us. Find out more about Banksy Heavy Weaponry.
Grin Reaper
Resting casually upon a clock face that is reminiscent of Big Ben, the reaper holds his scythe - ready to cut down the living and take them away to the land of the dead. The hooded symbol of death, however, does not have a typically skeletal or hidden face but that of a bright yellow smiley face. The ‘Smiley’ face is one of the most recognizable logos in Western society, and is associated both to the sphere of synthetic drugs and to the idea of positivity and optimism.
The countdown is on, to what we wonder? As the hands of the clock, unfaltering and unwavering, move towards midnight the Grin Reaper sits there provoking, threatening and mocking us: the bright face of death himself contrasted with the black and white stencil. Death and humour delicately dance together as the artist’s playful and subversive wit confuses and shocks the viewer. Could this be the artist toying with the idea of Memento Mori? That death comes to us all and should be the impetus to all of us to live our lives to the fullest? Buy Banksy Grin Reaper.
Dead Angel
Appearing in Old Street in 2007, Dead Angel was created as a tribute to English graffiti artist OZONE and overlays the famous Pulp Fiction work. The street piece was accompanied by a touching message on Banksy’s website, 'The last time I hit this spot I painted a crap picture of two men in banana costumes waving hand guns. A few weeks later a writer called Ozone completely dogged it and then wrote "If it's better next time I'll leave it" in the bottom corner. When we lost Ozone we lost a fearless graffiti writer and as it turns out a pretty perceptive art critic.’ Conjuring up images of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the skull holding ghostly cherub is clad in a bulletproof vest. Here we see an innocent life lost that longingly stares death in the face - resigned and at peace. Here death is seen as a release, and is treated as such. Offering a dignified sense of existence even in the afterlife.
Much like our article draws to an end, we are reminded of the quote from Shakespeare “Death, a necessary end, will come when it will come”. For more information on our Banksy paintings for sale or to buy Banksy prints, contact Andipa via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7581 1244. Alternatively, sell your Banksy print with Andipa or find out more about selling Banksy paintings and artworks.