Banksy Choose Your Weapon Slate For Sale

Edition

Edition of 25

Banksy’s Choose Your Weapon was released as a series of 27 different signed colourway prints of varying edition sizes from 25 to 100 released and published by Pictures on Walls over the course of various years by the artist. The works depict a hooded British youth and pays homage to Keith Haring with its reference to Keith Haring’s famous Dog. Released around the time that then British Prime Minister David Cameron urged the public to “Hug a Hoodie” a phrase that was widely ridiculed as an out of touch appeal to the disenfranchised youth and wider public. The striking figure is an obvious nod to street culture and, perhaps, autobiographical as the lone figure, protected by the dog, can be seen as Banksy, masking his identity and being protected by his art. Like many of Banksy’s works, the series shows Banksy’s socially conscious meanings he places within his artworks. Youth, ignored largely by politicians, stand alone in a society that they at once inhabit and are the future of yet are mistreated and distrusted by those in power. Banksy's work reinforces the notion of street, underground and youth culture being a threat to the establishment with the menacing detailed figure punctuated with the absurdity and humour of Haring’s dog. Indeed, the very title “Choose Your Weapon” suggests that the dog itself, much like Banksy;s art, is now the weapon of choice of the youth as they rise up against the powers that be.