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Artworks
Banksy
Because I'm Worthless (Pink) (Signed) , 2004Screen print19 3/4 x 13 3/4 in
50 x 35 cmEdition of 75Series: Because I'm WorthlessCopyright The ArtistBecause I'm Worthless (Pink) is a 2004 screen print by Banksy that explores the themes of capitalism, protest and the working class. Released and published by Pictures on Walls the work is from a signed edition of 75 and an unsigned edition of 175. Banksy’s Because I’m Worthless print is part of a series of three, commonly known as the Placard Rats, with each rat holding a protest placard with a phrase seemingly graffitied onto the card. Because I’m Worthless plays on the famous advertising slogan of L'Oréal “Because I’m Worth It”. In Because I’m Worthless the rat stands alone holding a placard whilst weaning a peace symbol necklace. As with many Banksy works, the artist cleverly plays into a popular cultural motif - the L'Oréal slogan and subverts it’s very notion calling into question the value we assign to companies and products over our very own wellbeing. The rat can be seen to symbolize the working class, every day person on the street, and the masses, and how society deems them worthless and not good enough. Protest is the answer. Far from being downtrodden and ignored, rats themselves living as marginalised animals, eking out a living in shadows and on the peripheries of society, The work is a call to arms as Banksy invites the disenfranchised and working classes to embrace protest, to question their value and to rise up.For Banksy, the rat has become an iconic and recurring motif. Banksy's rats are depicted in various contexts and situations, often appearing as stenciled graffiti in public spaces or as prints.
These rats serve as a metaphorical tool for Banksy to convey his social and political commentary. They are portrayed engaging in human-like activities or interacting with elements of urban life, conveying messages of rebellion, social critique, and wit. These rodent figures are sometimes depicted wearing clothes, holding signs, or carrying out acts that mirror human behavior, provoking thought and reflection on societal issues.
The rat prints by Banksy are a reflection of his signature style, combining simple yet impactful imagery with clever and thought-provoking messages. They have garnered attention and admiration for their ability to communicate powerful ideas in a visually striking and accessible manner.
The rats in Banksy's art often represent the overlooked or marginalized members of society, challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions and question authority, norms, and power structures. Their presence in Banksy's art adds depth to his overall narrative, offering a playful yet thought-provoking commentary on various contemporary social and political issues.
