Morons (AP)
Morons (AP)
Signed Print
Banksy
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56 x 76cm, Edition of 30, Screenprint
Meaning & Analysis
Banksy's 2007 screen-print Morons critiques art elitism by replacing Van Gogh's Sunflowers, sold for £22.5m, with a sign reading "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU MORONS ACTUALLY BUY THIS SHIT." The print, from a signed Artist Proof in various colourways in an edition of 30, highlights the absurdity of art world wealth and includes a meta-comment on Banksy's own buyers.
This screen print in Banksy’s signature style portrays an auction room full of people in suits bidding for a number of artworks, including one in a gold frame (the only colour in the image) that reads, ‘I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shit’. This artwork first appeared on Banksy’s website following a record-breaking auction result for one of his canvases. It was released as an unsigned edition in white and gold at the artist’s exhibition Barely Legal in LA in 2006 - Morons (LA Edition) . Morons is an example of Banksy’s unapologetic critiques on the extraordinarily high prices of his, and many other artists’ artworks pointing a mocking finger at their buyers.
Banksy’s relationship with the art market is notoriously controversial, which is precisely why he is so successful. The artist has expressed similarly critical opinions of the art world’s commercialism through public pranks such as the famous incident in 2008 at Sotheby’s auction of Girl With Balloon, which, after the hammer struck down at a record price, ceremoniously shredded itself in front of the audience.