Monkey Parliament
View Similar Items
BanksyMonkey Parliament2009
2009
About the Item
- Creator:
- Creation Year:2009
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Darlinghurst, AU
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU164729450042
Banksy
Of the numerous feats that Banksy has accomplished over the course of his career as an international artist, activist and filmmaker, perhaps the most astonishing is that while he is among the most famous figures in street art, he has managed to remain completely anonymous.
There is a method behind the madness, however. Banksy maintains that he chooses to conceal his identity to make a more democratic impact with his work, the themes of which include criticism of world leaders, consumerism and terrorism.
Although not much is known about Banksy — he sent a photo of himself with a paper bag on his head to Time magazine for a profile — it is believed that he was born in the city of Bristol, in southwest England, circa 1974. Wit, irreverence, dark humor and activism come together in his work, which spans graffiti, paintings, prints, sculptures and filmmaking. (His film, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which focuses on another street artist known as Mr. Brainwash, was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2010 Academy Awards.)
Banksy began as a graffiti artist in his hometown in the early 1990s. He has found fame for his stenciled and spray-painted pieces, which are most often rooted in anti-war or antiestablishment messaging, appearing in cities such as London, New York and Los Angeles and for his “stunts” that are intended to subvert and provoke the art world. One particularly memorable stunt took place in 2018, when, as soon as one of his paintings sold at auction — Girl with a Balloon, which fetched an extraordinary $1.4 million — it self-destructed and proceeded to partially shred itself. Banksy even snuck into the Louvre and hung his own version of the Mona Lisa in 2006. Despite his elusive persona and commitment to bringing art to the masses, Banksy is one of the most coveted artists at auctions across the world.
And his work is undeniably impactful.
At a record-breaking auction organized by Damien Hirst, Bono and others to benefit AIDS charities in 2008, Banksy’s Keep It Spotless — a modified Hirst painting — fetched nearly $2 million. In May of 2020, Banksy donated Game Changer, a painting that honors UK healthcare workers, to Southampton General Hospital. When it went to auction in 2021, it sold for more than $23 million at Christie's in London. All proceeds went to the National Health Service.
Find original Banksy art for sale on 1stDibs.
- France World Cup Lithograph by Aldo Luongo c.1998By Aldo LuongoLocated in San Francisco, CAFRANCE World Cup Lithograph by Aldo Luongo c.1998 Limited edition France 98' World Cup - Official License From a very limited edition of 300. Pencil signed lower right. Edition 24...Category
Late 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Double ManBy Keith HaringLocated in Hollywood, FLArtist: Keith Haring Title: Double Man Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.9 x 76.2 cm) Medium: Lithograph in colors on wove paper Edition: 34 of 85 Year: 1986 Notes: S...Category
1980s Street Art More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
$120,000 - Reflections on MinervaBy Roy LichtensteinLocated in Philadelphia, PARoy Lichtenstein Reflections on Minerva 1990 Lithograph, screenprint, relief, and metalized PVC collage with embossing on mold-made Somerset paper Signed, numbered, and dated in pen...Category
1990s Pop Art More Prints
MaterialsLithograph, Screen
- Lament for LorcaBy Robert MotherwellLocated in London, GBLithograph on white Tyler Graphics Ltd. (TGL) handmade paper 44x61 in (111.8x154.9cm) Edition of 52Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints
MaterialsColor, Lithograph
- Edmund from Men in the CitiesBy Robert LongoLocated in Miami, FLHand signed in pencil and dated '85 lower right corner with edition number in lower left corner. Published by Brooke Alexander Editions, New York. This is AP 2/10 and the edition is 38.Category
1980s Contemporary Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Five Greek Poets and a PhilosopherBy Cy TwomblyLocated in London, GBComplete set of seven lithographs with embossment, 1978, on Richard de Bas mould-made paper, initialed and numbered in pencil from the edition of 40 verso, printed by Matthieu Studio...Category
1970s Abstract More Prints
MaterialsLithograph