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Artworks
Banksy
Christ with Shopping Bags (Signed), 2004Screen print on paper70 x 50 cm.
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 in.Edition of 82Signed and numbered
Pest Control COAThis signed edition of "Christ with Shopping Bags," sometimes referred to as "Consumer Jesus," depicts a crucified Jesus, visibly anguished, holding shopping bags in his outstretched hands that strain under the weight of their contents. Among the items protruding from the bags are a candy cane and Mickey Mouse ears, invoking the commercialized symbols of Christmas. This scene serves as a poignant commentary on how the festive season and the celebration of Jesus’ birth have drifted from their original religious and moral significance. Banksy critiques how the pursuit of material goods and brands has overshadowed spiritual growth, effectively creating new idols in the form of consumer culture. In Banksy’s interpretation of the Crucifixion, Jesus and the shopping bags appear to melt together, symbolizing how consumerism offers temporary satisfaction that ultimately proves fleeting. The artwork challenges viewers to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and raises questions about the priorities of contemporary society.