Banksy (British, b. 1974)

The first UK graffiti artist to successfully straddle the divide between street and fine art. Having initially built his reputation on a series of high profile public stunts, such as installing his own painting into the Tate Museum, Banksy has become a worldwide phenomenon and the leader of the street art movement. He started making editioned prints in 2002 and created over 50 in an 8 year period. His wit, humour and message have connected with a large international audience and he has become one of the hottest and most important living contemporary artists in the world.

'Applause' is the most detailed screen print in the Barely Legal print set, resembling a detailed sketch rather than a stencil. Banksy used a well-known source image of former American President George W. Bush de-planing a military bomber. A figure in the foreground holds up a cue card with the word “APPLAUSE” emblazoned across it, as if to say, “You are expected to act like this man who sent your country to war is a hero, so act like it.” The viewer becomes a participant in an absurd talk show where pointless and perhaps even egregious activities are applauded simply because someone told them it was the appropriate time to do so. Signed and numbered on the Verso. With Full POW Certificate.