Why is Flying Copper important?

Banksy’s artwork, like most of his creations, is based on the appropriation of pop culture and contrasts. There is a clear satirical disparity between the happiness and simplicity of the smiley, and the policeman’s armour. The smiley face and the angel wings are angelic, whereas his equipment evokes oppression and threat. Flying Copper underlines a theme consistent in the artist’s work – scepticism towards figures of authority and power, a subject also dealt with in Love is in the Air, Monkey Queen or Turf War.

How do I buy Flying Copper?

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of buying work by Banksy is by using us to reach a seller. MyArtBroker is a curated site, meaning we feature artists that our collectors say they want. You can find Banksy art for sale here. You’ll need to create a free account to buy or sell with us.

How can I sell my Flying Copper?

If you're looking to sell art by Banksy, click the link and we can help. We employ a number of techniques and practices in order to give a realistic and achievable valuation on any art listed on myartbroker.com. We analyse the demand for the work in question, take into consideration previous sales and auction valuations, we assess the current gallery valuation and monitor the current deals taking place via MyArtBroker every day. We regularly advise sellers on a price bracket for their artwork completely free of charge.

What is the origin of the Smiley Face in Banksy's work?

Because of the ambiguity surrounding the Flying Copper image, the saturated smiley face that obscures our view of the policeman is open to interpretation. For many, it is a nod to the innocence of childhood and its associated ignorance, for others it is simply lifted from the acid house rave logo - ubiquitous as a motif in the 1990s. The contrast between the smiley face and the threatening presence of the so-called ‘peacekeeper’ however, is one that clearly fascinated the artist, as Banksy returned to this contrast throughout his career, namely in works such as Riot Copper (2002), Flying Copper (2002) and Smiling Copper (2003.)

Flying Copper by Banksy Buy & Sell

Flying
Copper

Originally sold for £40 from a carboot, Banksy’s now famous Flying Copper evidences how far he has come in the art world. Showing a policeman with an acid-house smiley face pasted over his own, the prints bear a coded, rebellious message, and have been offered in numerous editions, various colourways, and rare artist proofs.

Meaning & Analysis

Flying Copper is an iconic example of Banksy's early work, where a heavily armed British police officer dons angel wings and a yellow smiley face.

On a flat coloured backdrop, sky blue or pink depending on the edition, Flying Copper depicts a strange and paradoxical character: the policeman, fully equipped with machine-gun, helmet, walkie-talkie and handcuffs, but topped with a striking, stick-on face and a pair of small angel-like wings. The smiley is both a nod to 1990s acid house culture and the innocence of childhood, depending on your interpretation.

These Banksy prints were released in 2003 as 150 signed and 600 unsigned editions, all featuring the yellow acid-house smiley face. There are also a select few rare Artist's Proofs with a pink smiley instead.

Flying Copper was Banksy's first print release in collaboration with Steve Lazarides and was originally sold for £40 each from the back of Lazarides' car. It first appeared under a number of giant cut-out paintings suspended on cardboard from the ceiling at Turf War, Banksy’s first major exhibition in a warehouse in East London in 2003.

Flying Copper murals were then spotted on the streets of Vienna, London and Berlin. Some appeared with a distinct red Banksy tag through the middle, others had a red, blood-like splatter. A railway bridge in Shoreditch also once featured a row of Flying Coppers, but unfortunately, part of this installation was stolen and subsequently featured in a 2012 documentary entitled How to sell a Banksy.

Banksy’s artwork, like most of his creations, is based on the appropriation of pop culture and contrasts. There is a clear satirical disparity between the happiness and simplicity of the smiley, and the policeman’s armour. The smiley face and the angel wings are angelic, whereas his equipment evokes oppression and threat. Flying Copper underlines a theme consistent in the artist’s work – scepticism towards figures of authority and power, a subject also dealt with in Love is in the Air, Monkey Queen or Turf War.
If you're looking to sell art by Banksy, click the link and we can help. We employ a number of techniques and practices in order to give a realistic and achievable valuation on any art listed on myartbroker.com. We analyse the demand for the work in question, take into consideration previous sales and auction valuations, we assess the current gallery valuation and monitor the current deals taking place via MyArtBroker every day. We regularly advise sellers on a price bracket for their artwork completely free of charge.
Because of the ambiguity surrounding the Flying Copper image, the saturated smiley face that obscures our view of the policeman is open to interpretation. For many, it is a nod to the innocence of childhood and its associated ignorance, for others it is simply lifted from the acid house rave logo - ubiquitous as a motif in the 1990s. The contrast between the smiley face and the threatening presence of the so-called ‘peacekeeper’ however, is one that clearly fascinated the artist, as Banksy returned to this contrast throughout his career, namely in works such as Riot Copper (2002), Flying Copper (2002) and Smiling Copper (2003.)