Have a Nice Day - Banksy - A + Signed

Have a Nice Day (Anarchist Book Fair)

Hand signed

Screenprint in colours, 2003, signed, inscribed 'A' (Anarchy) and numbered from the edition of 67 in pencil, printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London, on wove paper, with full margins sheet 319 x 998mm (12 1/2 x 39 1/4in)

This work is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Pest Control Office.

Condition Report: In fine, fresh condition apart from a few soft handling creases to the sheet (barely noticeable).

The men are kitted out in all black riot gear, marching in unison against an unseen ‘threat’ or in fact towards the viewer of the piece. The faces of the police, which in reality would be covered with protective visors, are covered with bright yellow ‘acid-house’ style smiley faces; a motif we see fairly regularly in Banksy prints, particularly when it comes to portraying figures that use fear as a means of control – for example, Banksy’s Grin Reaper and Flying Copper, which both use the smiley face to challenge the viewer and flip the norm. With its typically anti-authoritarian message, it encapsulates the social commentary and biting wit that lies under every Banksy artwork.

This well-known piece is Banksy's first ever print release via Pictures on Walls. First released in 2003, its relatively low edition size contributes to its desirability – there are just 67 signed prints and 350 unsigned prints, along with 31 artist's proofs.

This lot for sale differs in several aspects from the artist’s later and more numerous Have a Nice Day edition, such as the font of the text and composition of the image; providing interesting insight into how the artist works and reworks his iconic images through the medium of screenprint.

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