Barcode, 2004
Editions: 150 signed, 600 unsigned
‘A black print of a leopard on an off white unbleashed paper with spot varnish finish. Every bit as good as that sounds.’
Barcode, also known as Barcode Leopard, shows a majestic leopard in the foreground who just escaped from his cage, resembling a barcode on wheels. At first sight, this print is a clear criticism on the way humans use animals for their own entertainment, having created zoos or sea-parks. The barcode serves as a symbol of consumerism and capitalism. Indeed, it was introduced in the 1970’s to standardize consumer’s products, in order to make people purchase more in a faster and more efficient manner. The leopard is demonstrating the ability we all have to free ourselves from the power of consumerism.
Furthermore, another interpretation links the choice of the leopard and the barcode by their unique character. Just as all leopards have a unique pattern of spots, all barcodes have unique combinations too. The big cat embodies the diversity of form, whereas the notion of consumerism suggested through the image of the barcode evokes homogeneity.
Barcode first appeared on the side of a house on Pembroke Road in Bristol. The stencil was quickly removed from the wall but reappeared a few years after on the occasion of an exhibit in Somerset. Banksy also realized many originals with this iconic stencil.
Barcode Leopard, 2002
Stencil spray-paint on canvas
43×51 cm (17×20 inches)
Edition of 5
Barcode Leopard, 2002
Spray-paint and acrylic on canvas
33×36 inches
DESCRIPTION
Barcode
Year: 2004
Medium: Screen-print on cream wove paper
Size: 50×70 cm (19 3/4 x 27 1/2 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
Editions
Signed Edition: 150
Unsigned Edition: 600
Artist’s Proofs: Unknown
Numbering and Signature
Numbered in pencil, lower right, no publisher’s blindstamp
Some with the Banksy stamp in red ink
Signed either in pencil or in black ink
AUCTION RESULTS
Updated as of 30 June 2022
1. Barcode (unsigned)
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 428/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink
International Art Center, 27 July 2021
GBP 59,109 / USD 82,162
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 352/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink
Bonhams online, 29 June 2021
GBP 31,500 / USD 43,569
Barcode (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 314/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
GBP 75,600 / USD 105,084
2. Barcode (signed)
Barcode (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in black ink, lower left
Numbered and inscribed 22/150 DN in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
GBP 88,200 / USD 111,132
Barcode (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in black pen, lower left with the Banksy Stamp in red ink
Numbered /150 in pencil
Forum Auctions, 3 March 2022
GBP 104,520 / USD 142,147
Barcode (signed), 2004
Signed and dated, lower left
Numbered 47/150 in pencil, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 17 September 2021
GBP 113,400 / USD 157,626
Barcode (signed), 2004
Signed in black ink, lower left
Numbered 68/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower left
Bonhams online, 29 June 2021
GBP 94,000 / USD 130,017
GBP 94,000 / USD 130,017
