Urban

Banksy

Choose Your Weapon Soft Yellow, 2010

Screen print

27 1/2 x 27 1/2 in
70 x 70 cm

Edition of 25

Series: Choose Your Weapon

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.

Banksy's Choose Your Weapon print series is a striking and thought-provoking exploration of the power dynamics between authority and dissent, violence and non-violence. Created in 2010, this series features Banksy's iconic stencil technique and minimalist style, portraying a masked protester wielding a bouquet of flowers instead of a weapon.
The imagery in the Choose Your Weapon series is both powerful and subversive. By juxtaposing the symbol of a protest mask with the unexpected choice of flowers, Banksy challenges conventional notions of conflict and resistance. Rather than advocating for violence or aggression, the figure in Banksy's prints appears to advocate for peaceful protest and non-violent resistance as potent tools for social change.
Each print in the Choose Your Weapon series offers a different variation on this theme, with the protester depicted against various backdrops and settings. Despite the differences in composition, the central message remains consistent: the power to effect change lies not in weapons of destruction, but in acts of compassion, creativity, and solidarity.
The title of the series, Choose Your Weapon, further underscores Banksy's message, urging viewers to reconsider their approach to conflict and activism. Instead of resorting to violence or confrontation, Banksy suggests that individuals have the agency to choose alternative means of resistance that uphold principles of peace and empathy.
The Choose Your Weapon series is emblematic of Banksy's broader body of work, which often critiques systems of power and advocates for social justice through clever and visually impactful imagery. Through his art, Banksy encourages viewers to question authority, challenge the status quo, and consider the potential of non-violent protest as a force for positive change in the world.
As with all of Banksy's prints, authenticating and purchasing pieces from the Choose Your Weapon series requires diligence and care to ensure both the authenticity of the artwork and the safety of the transaction. Researching reputable sources, verifying the edition number and signature, and using secure payment methods are essential steps in acquiring Banksy prints safely and responsibly.

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