Nola

Banksy’s Nola, or Umbrella Girl, was first painted in the Marigny neighbourhood of New Orleans, a response to the devastation of hurricane Katrina.

The work was part of a series of 14 murals which referenced the disaster that struck the city affectionately known as ‘Nola’. The first Nola signed print was subsequently released later that year as a limited edition of 289 signed works. The image captures a young girl carrying an umbrella; yet in a characteristic twist, the pouring rain appears, paradoxically, from within the canopy of the umbrella itself. The girl tentatively extends a cupped hand in confusion, only to find that the umbrella is, in fact, the source of the downpour, as opposed to offering protection from it.

Now one of the most beloved Banksy prints, the first edition of Nola featured white raindrops while later, larger editions included 63 prints with grey rain, 32 with neon orange rain, 31 in neon yellow and 66 artist proofs with multicolour rain. All are numbered and signed by the artist.