Heavy Weaponry (Multi-color Background)
Year: 2009
Medium: Acrylic and spray-paint stencil on board, in artist’s frame
Dimensions: 59.4×69.8 cm (23 3/8 x 27 1/2 inches)
Edition: Unique
Signed, lower right
Further signed and dated 09 on the reverse
Auction History
Auction House: Sotheby’s London
Date: 16 February 2011
Price Realized: GBP 85,250
Heavy Weaponry is one of Banksy’s iconic visuals. It depicts a singular elephant made in Banksy’s recognizable stencil style with a rocket strapped to its back, hence the double-entendre in the witty title. The entire composition consists of a minimally depicted animal simply strolling forward, heavy with irony. The image of the elephant bearing a rocket on its back carries various interpretations; presumably the general message is anti-military, in line with Banksy’s other works using similar imagery.
Using the elephant as a symbol resonates with other famous Banksy works featuring various animals that represent ordinary people or the ‘masses’ vis-a-vis the establishment and the military-industrialist complex.
