You Told Me That Joke Twice
Year: 2000
Medium: Acrylic, spray enamel and oil-stick on canvas
Dimensions: 124.8×165.1 cm (49×65 inches)
Edition: Unique
Stencil-signed “BANKSY”, lower right
Exhibition History
Severnshed, Bristol, 2000
Auction History
Auction House: Sotheby’s New-York
Date: 14 November 2012
Price realized: USD 368,500
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Auction House: Christie’s London
Date: 11 February 2010
Price realized: GBP 169,250
You Told That Joke Twice is one of Banksy’s rare, incredibly painterly original canvases. Depicted in dynamic, colorful brush strokes and spray paint, the image shows a clown being taken away by the police, suggested by the title that he is being punished for having told the same joke twice.
This vibrant piece is a humorous commentary by Banksy against the unfairness of police brutality, which is a common subject tackled throughout the artist’s oeuvre.
Exhibited at Banksy’s seminal first indoor exhibit at Severnshed in his hometown of Bristol, this work shows the playful wit associated with Banksy’s pared down compositions.
