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Banksy

Because I’m Worthless (Placard Rat)

Because I’m Worthless (red) Unsigned Print

Because I’m Worthless (red)

Banksy

Because I’m Worthless (red)
Unsigned Print

Name: Because I’m Worthless (red)
Brand: Banksy
Rating: 5 (234 reviews)

Banksy

£14,500-£21,000Value Indicator

$30,000-$45,000 Value Indicator

$27,000-$40,000 Value Indicator

¥140,000-¥200,000 Value Indicator

€17,000-€25,000 Value Indicator

$150,000-$210,000 Value Indicator

¥2,800,000-¥4,050,000 Value Indicator

$19,000-$27,000 Value Indicator

1% AAGR

AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.

There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.

Medium: Screenprint

Edition size: 175

Year: 2004

Size: H 50cm x W 35cm

Signed: No

Format: Unsigned Print

TradingFloor

17 in network

15 want this

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Track auction value trend

The value of Banksy's Because I'm Worthless (red) (2004) screenprint is estimated to be worth between £14,500 and £21,000. In the past 12 months, there have been no sales of this artwork. Over the past five years, the hammer price has ranged from £38,236 in December 2020 to £40,000 in November 2020. This artwork has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 1%. This work is somewhat rare, having been sold 6 times since its initial sale in October 2016. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 175.

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Auction Results

Auction Date	Auction House	Location
December 2020	Phillips Hong Kong	Hong Kong
November 2020	Tate Ward Auctions	United Kingdom
March 2020	Forum Auctions London	United Kingdom
February 2020	Tate Ward Auctions	United Kingdom
March 2019	Phillips London	United Kingdom
December 2018	Bonhams Knightsbridge	United Kingdom
November 2018	Phillips London	United Kingdom

Meaning & Analysis

Banksy's 2004 silkscreened Because I'm Worthless is from his Placard Rat series. Banksy’s rats represent the masses; as Banksy references L'Oreal's motto, he highlights the oppressed self-esteem of the working class under neoliberal consumerism. The print was released in various editions: this one with red text, from an unsigned edition of 175.

In this print, Banksy uses one of his most famous symbols, the rat, which references the famous French graffiti artist Blek Le Rat. Banksy regularly uses the rat as a motif in a number of his artworks - whether this is pure coincidence or whether it’s due to the fact that “rat” is an anagram of art is not certain. The image shows a rat in Banksy’s signature stencil-style, wearing a Peace chain, holding a placard that drips in red (or pink) graffiti reading, ‘Because I’m Worthless.'

As with all Banksy artworks, there are multiple interpretations of this much sought-after screen print. Banksy famously uses the rat to symbolise 'the masses' and working public at large, thus representing the way that society deems such “vermin” as worthless. However, Banksy is also slightly mocking the L’Oreal strapline ‘Because I’m Worth it’, which might be seen as a subversive nod to neoliberal consumer capitalism and its relationship to the exploitation of the working class.

The Banksy Placard Rat series also includes Get Out While You Can and Welcome To Hell.

Renowned British street artist, Banksy, is the enigmatic figure behind some of the most subversive works in the Urban Art scene. Despite his anonymity, the artists' disruptive stunts have not only gained him notoriety, but they have vocalised his stance on many social and political issues. As seen with the likes of Girl With Balloon and Napalm, Banksy uses his distinctive stencil technique to produce thought-provoking commentaries on challenging themes. The showcase of rebellion that lines his work has caused his secondary market value to soar in recent years, propelling him to the top of the Urban Art scene.

More from Because I’m Worthless (Placard Rat)

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Because I’m Worthless (red)

BanksySigned Print

£40,000-£60,000

$80,000-$120,000 Value Indicator

$70,000-$110,000 Value Indicator

¥380,000-¥560,000 Value Indicator

€50,000-€70,000 Value Indicator

$400,000-$610,000 Value Indicator

¥7,770,000-¥11,650,000 Value Indicator

$50,000-$80,000 Value Indicator

TradingFloor

Because I’m Worthless (pink)

BanksyUnsigned Print

£15,000-£23,000

$30,000-$45,000 Value Indicator

$28,000-$40,000 Value Indicator

¥140,000-¥220,000 Value Indicator

€18,000-€28,000 Value Indicator

$150,000-$230,000 Value Indicator

¥2,920,000-¥4,480,000 Value Indicator

$19,000-$30,000 Value Indicator

-5% AAGR (5YR)

TradingFloor

6 in network

3 want this

Because I’m Worthless (pink)

BanksySigned Print

£35,000-£50,000

$70,000-$100,000 Value Indicator

$60,000-$90,000 Value Indicator

¥330,000-¥470,000 Value Indicator

€40,000-€60,000 Value Indicator

$350,000-$500,000 Value Indicator

¥6,760,000-¥9,650,000 Value Indicator

$45,000-$60,000 Value Indicator

-4% AAGR (5YR)

TradingFloor

3 in network

7 want this

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