Grannies, 2006
Editions: 150 signed, 500 unsigned
‘They say youth is wasted on the young but sitting on your ass all day
eating mints and watching telly seems wasted on the elderly.
Here’s a picture of two old dears knitting themselves a sweater.’
Grannies features two elderly ladies sitting on aged armchairs enjoying their favorite activity: knitting jumpers and drinking tea. They seem very pleased of themselves, smiling, most probably talking, exchanging good memories, and knitting for their grand-children. However, on closer inspection, the text emblazoned in block-capitals across the jumpers are unlikely slogans: “Punks Not Dead” and “Thug For Life”. They both appear to be quietly pleased with themselves, as they fly in the face of cultural norms, and share such an act of rebellion.
Rendered in Banksy’s signature black and white stencil style, the pair is set against a block pink background, which juxtaposition serves to heighten the humorous contradiction between scene and message, a technique mastered by the artist. As it is often the case in Banksy’s works, several interpretations are possible. Perhaps this artwork reminds the viewer never to underestimate the relatively innocuous appearance of the older generation, which acts as a guise for their rebellious pasts.
James Pfaff, Grannies, Studio Sessions II, London, 2004
Banksy might also well be encouraging the older generations to pass down their acts of defiance to the future generations, along with the knitted jumpers they gift their grandchildren.
Grannies (Hand-Finished), 2006
Edition: 11 signed with extensive hand-spray finish
Obviously, it can also be seen as a metaphor for how artists also impact the world, not through any kind of violence, but simply by creating artworks that are shared with a wide public. On the flip side, it has also been suggested that the picture represents the gentrification of counter-culture into a tame, mainstream movement suitable even for grannies.
RELEASE HISTORY
Grannies is one of six prints belonging to the Barely Legal Print Set, which also includes Morons, Trolleys, Applause, Sale Ends and Festival. Grannies was originally released at Barely Legal as an edition of 100 unsigned prints, printed by Modern Multiples, that sold for $500 a piece.
In 2007, Banksy’s UK-based printer Pictures of Walls re-released different versions of the Morons print: 300 signed prints on a sepia background, as well as black and white editions of 500 unsigned and 150 signed prints.
Grannies original, exhibited at Barely Legal, Los Angeles, 2006
DESCRIPTION
Grannies
Year: 2006
Medium: Screen-print in colors on Arches wove paper
Size: 56×76 cm (22×30 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
Editions
Signed Edition: 150
Unsigned Edition: 500
Hand-Finished Edition: 11 signed
AUCTION RESULTS
Updated as of 30 June 2022
1. Grannies (unsigned)
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Numbered 62/500 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
GBP 27,720 / USD 34,927
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Numbered 253/500 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Bonhams London, 9 December 2021
GBP 27,750 / USD 37,463
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Numbered 310/500 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
GBP 37,800 / USD 52,542
2. Grannies (signed)
Grannies (signed), 2006
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 55/150 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Bonhams London, 11 November 2021
GBP 56,500 / USD 76,275
Grannies (signed), 2006
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 3/150 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
GBP 107,100 / USD 148,869
3. Grannies (Hand-Finished)
Grannies (hand-finished) made its auction debut at Sotheby’s online on 18 March 2021 for GBP 226,800 (USD 315,252).
Grannies (Hand-Finished), 2006
With extensive hand-sprayed additions in purple and green
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed and numbered HF 9/11 (one of 11 hand-finished impressions)
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
GBP 226,800 / USD 315,252
