Because I’m Worthless (pink)
Because I’m Worthless (pink)
Unsigned Print
Banksy
£20,000-£30,000 VALUE (EST.)
$40,000-$60,000 VALUE (EST.)
$35,000-$50,000 VALUE (EST.)
¥180,000-¥260,000 VALUE (EST.)
€23,000-€35,000 VALUE (EST.)
$200,000-$290,000 VALUE (EST.)
¥3,490,000-¥5,230,000 VALUE (EST.)
$25,000-$35,000 VALUE (EST.)
This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
Screenprint, 2004
Unsigned Print Edition of 175
H 50cm x W 35cm
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Artwork | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2021 | Forum Auctions London - United Kingdom | Because I’m Worthless (pink) - Unsigned Print | |||
| March 2019 | Christie's London - United Kingdom | Because I’m Worthless (pink) - Unsigned Print |
Meaning & Analysis
Banksy's 2004 silkscreened Because I'm Worthless is from his Placard Rat series. Banksy’s rats represent the masses; as Banksy references L'Oreal's motto, he highlights the oppressed self-esteem of the working class under neoliberal consumerism. The print was released in various editions: this one with pink text, from an unsigned edition of 175.
In this print, Banksy uses one of his most popular symbols, the rat, which simultaneously references the famous French graffiti artist Blek Le Rat. Banksy regularly uses the rat as a motif in a number of his artworks - whether this is a pure coincidence or whether it’s because “rat” is an anagram of art is not certain. The image shows a rat in Banksy’s signature stencil-style, wearing a Peace chain, holding a placard that drips in red (or pink) graffiti reading, ‘Because I’m Worthless.'
As with all Banksy artwork, there may be multiple interpretations to this much sought-after screen print. Since Banksy usually uses the rat to symbolise the average working-class person, one possible meaning could be a reflection on how society deems such “vermin” worthless. However, Banksy is also slightly mocking the L’Oreal slogan ‘Because I’m Worth it’, which might be seen as a subversive nod to neoliberal consumer capitalism and its relationship to the exploitation of the working class.
The Banksy Placard Rat series also includes Get Out While You Can and Welcome To Hell.
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