Why is the Lenin collection so important?

Banksy’s Lenin artworks follow in the footsteps of Andy Warhol’s Lenin paintings and prints, created almost two decades earlier, in 1987. But while Warhol’s Lenin depicts a serious portrait, Banksy’s version is light-hearted, satirical and ironic.

How do I buy a Lenin artwork?

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 Lenin artwork?

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.

Lenin by Banksy Background & Meaning

Lenin

From Winston Churchill to Queen Elizabeth II, Banksy has never shied away from poking fun at political leaders; his Lenin series is no exception. In giving the stoic and stern Russian Revolutionary and leader of the Soviet Union a punk makeover, Banksy's tongue-in-cheek approach to authority is perfectly showcased.

Meaning & Analysis

Banksy’s Lenin is a collection of standalone works, including originals and editions, created from 2002 and inspired by the Soviet Union leader Vladimir Lenin.

One of the best-known versions is Punk Lenin or Lenin Punk, depicting Lenin as a punk with a hooped earring and spiky mohawk hair on his bald head. The image is thought to have first appeared outside a public toilet in Bristol -Banksy’s hometown. A variation, spray painted onto a wooden pallet and titled Lenin On Pallet, featured in Banksy’s 2003 solo show Turf War alongside the artwork Turf War, featuring former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sporting a green, turf-like mohawk on his equally bald head. It was created as a signed edition of 5 originals. Another variation, featuring a red sniper rifle target next to Punk Lenin’s face, is known as Lenin In Sight.

Banksy’s Lenin On Roller Skates, also called Lenin On Skates and Lenin On Rollerblades (Who Put the Revolution on Ice?), shows Lenin pointing and striding across the canvas in Nike-branded roller-skates, the red swoosh logo adding the only splash of colour to an otherwise monochrome picture. It was created as an edition of 25.

Banksy’s Lenin artworks follow in the footsteps of Andy Warhol’s Lenin paintings and prints, created almost two decades earlier, in 1987. But while Warhol’s Lenin depicts a serious portrait, Banksy’s version is light-hearted, satirical and ironic.
Punk Lenin depicts the Russian revolutionary as a modern-day punk, connecting punk’s anti-establishment attitude with Lenin’s own socialist views, and alludes to his historical leadership when the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government.
Lenin On Rollerblades, however, is a classic Banksy comment on the corruption of power, with Lenin’s Nike-branded rollerblades suggesting that capitalism has triumphed over socialism.
Years after the Lenin artworks were completed, Banksy continued to explore ideas of capitalism, authority and corruption in prints like Donuts and Napalm.
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.