Flying Copper
Flying Copper
Unsigned Print
Banksy
£10,500-£16,000Value Indicator
$22,000-$35,000 Value Indicator
$19,000-$29,000 Value Indicator
¥100,000-¥160,000 Value Indicator
€12,000-€18,000 Value Indicator
$110,000-$170,000 Value Indicator
¥2,080,000-¥3,170,000 Value Indicator
$14,000-$22,000 Value Indicator
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100 x 70cm, Edition of 600, Screenprint
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
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Meaning & Analysis
Flying Copper is a 2003 screen print by Banksy featuring his smiley face motif, released in an unsigned edition of 600. Showing an armed British policeman in complete riot gear with an acid-house smiley face pasted over his own, the prints bear a coded, rebellious message.
Flying Copper is one of Banksy’s earlier iconic image known around the world. The image depicts an armed British policeman – in complete riot gear: machine gun, walkie-talkie, cuffs, helmet – with an insertion of a disarming ‘smiley face’ (synonymous with Britain’s ‘90s rave culture) and a pair of sprayed angel wings. The background is a block of bright, sky blue.
This print is a quintessential example of Banksy’s street art style with the use of contrasting aesthetics such as photo-realistic stencils combined with graphic features demonstrates the vast disparity between what we associate with the ‘smiley face’ (happiness), and what we associate with riot gear (fear and intimidation). The little angel wings on his back accentuate an amusing juxtaposition between morality, truth, military control and intimidation. It is usual for Banksy to remind us to be sceptical and wary of authority figures abusing power and the police have been a frequent target of his critiques, such as in other works like Donuts and most famously Rude Copper.
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.
