Heavy Weaponry (canvas)
Heavy Weaponry (canvas)
Signed Mixed Media
Banksy
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Medium: Mixed Media
Edition size: 25
Year: 2004
Size: H 30cm x W 30cmx D 4cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Mixed Media
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | Phillips London | United Kingdom | |||
| April 2021 | Christie's London | United Kingdom | |||
| October 2020 | Sotheby's Online | United Kingdom | |||
| September 2019 | Sotheby's Online | United Kingdom | |||
| October 2018 | Sotheby's New York | United States | |||
| January 2017 | Sotheby's Hong Kong | Hong Kong | |||
| July 2014 | Bonhams New Bond Street | United Kingdom |
Meaning & Analysis
Heavy Weaponry was made by contemporary British artist Banksy in 2004 using black spray paint and stencils. The print, which comes in an edition size of 25, depicts an elephant rendered in Banksy’s recognisable stencil style with a rocket strapped to its back. The image is set against a plain backdrop and the elephant dominates the centre of the composition as it is captured in motion strolling across the plain of the artwork.
The work is defined by its minimalist style and iconic tone. The use of stencils is a characteristic feature of Banksy’s visual style. The artist started producing freehand graffiti drawings, however switched to using stencils as it enabled him to speed up the artistic process and avoid being caught by the police and being spotted by onlookers.
The image of the elephant bearing a rocket on its back can be interpreted in various ways. The primary message of the print is anti-military, in line with Banksy’s other works using similar imagery. Using the elephant as an anti-war symbol resonates with other famous Banksy works in which various animals are used as symbols, for example, the way monkeys are used to represent ordinary people or the ‘masses’ and their interactions with the establishment in Laugh Now.
Renowned British street artist, Banksy, is the enigmatic figure behind some of the most subversive works in the Urban Art scene. Despite his anonymity, the artists' disruptive stunts have not only gained him notoriety, but they have vocalised his stance on many social and political issues. As seen with the likes of Girl With Balloon and Napalm, Banksy uses his distinctive stencil technique to produce thought-provoking commentaries on challenging themes. The showcase of rebellion that lines his work has caused his secondary market value to soar in recent years, propelling him to the top of the Urban Art scene.
