Banksy
"Smiling Copper aka Flying Copper" ., 2003
Aerosol spray on cardboard in 3 colors.
97 x 71 cm
38 1/4 x 28 in
38 1/4 x 28 in
Copyright The Artist
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Flying Copper is an iconic piece from Banksy’s early work. The image depicts a heavily armed British police officer with angel wings and a yellow smiley face. The work first...
Flying Copper is an iconic piece from Banksy’s early work. The image depicts a heavily armed British police officer with angel wings and a yellow smiley face.
The work first appeared under a number of giant cut-out paintings suspended on cardboard from the ceiling at Turf War, Banksy’s first major exhibition in a warehouse in East London in 2003. The cut-outs were then spotted on the streets of Vienna and London, where the stencil appeared with a distinct red Banksy tag through the middle of it. Shoreditch Bridge also featured a row of Flying Coppers.
This spray is very close to the image used for the printed edition of smiling copper. But notice that it lacks the "police" tag on the chest. Also seen on murals with multiple coppers.
This particular work originates from Turf War preparation. It was gifted to a Banksy helper. A signed letter confirming this and the collaboration with the artist included.
A six part stencil was used by the artist. This is considered a test spray. Notice the wings as one stencil. The body in two parts. No POLICE tag and the left underarm and belt missing compared to ex the litho. But seen this way on murals in Barcelona etc.
Framed size: 112 x 85 x 7 cm. Bespoke plexi box.
We have been able to source down a few photos of the very same stencil used on wood. Looks like the chest has been reworked??
This work is considered a street work or street related work so noit eligible formal certification.
All street works are to be considered as "attributed" to. It means to consider as made by the one indicated especially with the strong evidence but in the absence of 100 % conclusive proof. And sold as such. Same goes for barter traded works, gifted works from the artist. Works left behind at sites, in friends apartments in the early years and so on.
The work first appeared under a number of giant cut-out paintings suspended on cardboard from the ceiling at Turf War, Banksy’s first major exhibition in a warehouse in East London in 2003. The cut-outs were then spotted on the streets of Vienna and London, where the stencil appeared with a distinct red Banksy tag through the middle of it. Shoreditch Bridge also featured a row of Flying Coppers.
This spray is very close to the image used for the printed edition of smiling copper. But notice that it lacks the "police" tag on the chest. Also seen on murals with multiple coppers.
This particular work originates from Turf War preparation. It was gifted to a Banksy helper. A signed letter confirming this and the collaboration with the artist included.
A six part stencil was used by the artist. This is considered a test spray. Notice the wings as one stencil. The body in two parts. No POLICE tag and the left underarm and belt missing compared to ex the litho. But seen this way on murals in Barcelona etc.
Framed size: 112 x 85 x 7 cm. Bespoke plexi box.
We have been able to source down a few photos of the very same stencil used on wood. Looks like the chest has been reworked??
This work is considered a street work or street related work so noit eligible formal certification.
All street works are to be considered as "attributed" to. It means to consider as made by the one indicated especially with the strong evidence but in the absence of 100 % conclusive proof. And sold as such. Same goes for barter traded works, gifted works from the artist. Works left behind at sites, in friends apartments in the early years and so on.