Banksy (English, b. 1974) is a graffiti artist whose artwork has appeared throughout London and other locations around the world. Bansky's artwork is characterized by striking images, often combined with slogans. His work regularly engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed.
Common subjects include rats, apes, policemen, members of the royal family, and children. In addition to his two-dimensional work, Banksy is known for his installation artwork. One of the most celebrated
of these pieces, which featured a live elephant painted with a Victorian wallpaper pattern, sparked controversy among animal rights activists. He was the subject of a 2010 documentary, "Exit Through the Gift Shop,”
The Banksy print Very Little Helps was released as part of POW’s Open Weekend in Decemeber 2008. The release was a lottery system, with visitors being offered the chance to buy tickets for £20 for a chance to buy the print. Edition of 299, Not unsigned print on this edition
Banksy’s mural Very Little Helps, dated 2008, is located in Essex Road, North London. Stenciled on the side of a pharmacy, this funny and political piece depicts a group of children pledging their allegiance to Tesco, a British supermarket chain. Two young children are saluting, while another child is raising a Tesco carrier bag on an electricity cable cleverly transformed into a flag pole. Very Little Helps, even though covered in Perspex, has been “vandalized” several times and is partially damaged by added text, heads of children and the flag have been painted over, but the flag has been replaced by a real one by an “unknown artist”.