BANKSY, NO BALL GAMES (GREY), SIGNED SCREEN PRINT EDITION OF 250, 2009
No Ball Games is one of Banksy’s most famous artworks. This limited edition print shows two children, a boy and a girl, playing outside, and looking to be catching a ‘no ball games’ sign against a green background.
This work is a quintessential example of Banksy’s iconic stencil-style, and depicts a tongue-in-cheek, ironic scene: the two children playing with a sign that says ‘no ball games’, as if it were a ball. Thus, this largely monochromatic print (save for the red of the sign) is likely making a social commentary on the ‘nanny state’, and how even fundamental children’s activities such as play are now controlled and regulated. The children figures can also be interpreted as symbols for people in general, constantly under surveillance and regulation by a higher bureaucratic state power. Banksy, famous for being a rule breaker himself, might be encouraging children (and adults) a little to break those sorts of rules.This print is an example of Banksy’s frequent use of children as symbols of innocence, purity and a sense of freedom, to formulate subversive social critique, much like in his other prints such as Girl with Balloon and Nola.
No Ball Games originally appeared as a mural d on the side of a shop at the junction of Tottenham High Road and Philip Lane in 2009 but was cut out of the wall in and sold for charity.
Read more about No Ball Games by Banksy.
ABOUT BANKSY
Banksy is undoubtedly the world’s most sought-after and talked about street artist, his work represents his political and social commentary on the world, and has appeared on city walls throughout it – from London to New York, from Jamaica to the Gaza Strip.
Banksy is not only known for his high profile murals, he has been releasing limited edition prints for many years, produced in various formats, including signed and unsigned works, as well as artist proofs and gift prints. However, only a very select number of people know exactly what the elusive street artist creates and how many he releases. Some editions, for example, are only made available to VIPs, collectors and friends of Banksy’s who are part of the much-coveted inner circle. This has only made the demand for his limited edition silkscreen prints and artists proofs in circulation, grow in popularity year on year. Learn more about street artist Banksy.
