Grannies (hand finished)
Grannies (hand finished)
Signed Print
Banksy
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56 x 76cm, Edition of 11, Screenprint
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Meaning & Analysis
This hand-finished version of Banksy’s 2006 Grannies was released as a signed screen print edition of 11 and belongs to the "Barely Legal" exhibition portfolio. As the elderly ladies knit jumpers with the unlikely slogans "Punks Not Dead" and "Thug for Life”, Banksy begs the question: are these grannies retired rebels or simply armchair philosophers?
This sardonic, original, screen print by Banksy was released as part of the seminal exhibition Barely Legal which took place in California, Los Angeles in September 2006 and was the artists first major foray into the US. The unsigned print was released in an edition of 600, whilst 150 signed prints were also made available. Grannies features a blocked pink background, with two elderly ladies sitting on two aged armchairs knitting and drinking tea. However, upon closer inspection, the slogans on the jumpers read, ‘Punk's Not Dead’, and ‘Thug For Life’.
This piece is often considered to be one of the most humorous images of the Barely Legal exhibition. Both grannies appear pleased with themselves as they quietly resist cultural norms, but, there is an argument to suggest that this goes much deeper. It is possible interpretation that Grannies is a commentary on the way in which counter-culture is appropriated and white-washed into comfortable, mainstream living room material.
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.
