Banksy was the first UK graffiti artist to successfully straddle the divide between street and fine art.
Having initially built his reputation on a series of high profile public stunts, such as installing his own painting into the Tate Museum, Banksy has become a worldwide phenomenon and the leader of the street art movement.
He started making editioned prints in 2002 and created over 50 in an 8 year period. His wit, humour and message have connected with a large international audience and he has become one the most well known and important living contemporary artists in the world. Monkey Queen from 2003 was one of Banksy's earliest prints and has become increasingly rare, with this signed version from an edition of 750. It is also numbered by the artist
3 colour screen printSize: 34.5cm x 50cmLimited Edition of 750Numbered by Banksy150 are signed and 600 unsignedBanksy Monkey Queen is an excellent example of how Banksy’s mind works. The artwork first appeared at a young people’s club called The Chill Out Zone on Broad Street in Newent. The painting hung on the wall of the club for several months before it was finally moved to the front window, where it caught the eye of several supporters of the Monarchy who felt that the Queen’s likeness as portrayed by a monkey on the Union Jack was disrespectful of both the Queen and the flag. The youth center was asked not to display the image during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee
Banksy Monkey Queen,
Banksy depicts the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II portrayed as a monkey against the Union flag.
First displayed at the Chill Out Zone, a young member’s club on Newent’s Broad Street,
this work was highly criticized for its controversial nature.