Have a Nice Day Banksy

Banksy, Have a Nice Day, signed screenprint edition of 50, 2003

This five colour,  limited edition silkscreen print by British Street Artist Banksy is an example of his photo-realistic stencil style. It portrays a line of military police, complete with guns and visors -- in the middle of which is an enormous tank. On closer inspection, these intimidating police officers in black riot gear all have a bright yellow ‘smiley face’ as a face, and the emblem at the bottom of the print reads ‘Have a nice day’.

This artwork is typical of Banksy’s style of subverting the norm and usurping expectations (a method commonly employed by graffiti artists): what, at first glance, is an intimidating image; on closer inspection becomes a satirical take on the thinly veiled corporate veneer. An anti-capitalist, anti-military piece without a doubt. Have a Nice Day was one of Banksy’s first ever screenprints – released in 2003 -- and is a signed edition of 50.