The World's Largest Modern & Contemporary Prints & Editions Platform
Happy Choppers - Signed Print by Banksy 2003 - MyArtBroker

Happy Choppers
Signed Print

Banksy

£35,000-£50,000Value Indicator

$70,000-$100,000 Value Indicator

$60,000-$90,000 Value Indicator

¥320,000-¥460,000 Value Indicator

40,000-60,000 Value Indicator

$340,000-$490,000 Value Indicator

¥6,670,000-¥9,530,000 Value Indicator

$45,000-$60,000 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: 150

Year: 2003

Size: H 70cm x W 50cm

Signed: Yes

Format: Signed Print

TradingFloor

1 for sale
39 in network
45 want this
Find out how Buying or Selling works.
Track this artwork in realtime

Watch artwork, manage valuations, track your portfolio and return against your collection

Track auction value trend

Banksy's Happy Choppers (signed) is a screenprint from 2003, with an estimated value of £35,000 to £50,000. This artwork has shown consistent performance in the market, with an auction history of 60 total sales since its entry to the market in February 2008. Over the past 12 months, the average selling price was £32,000, across 2 sales. In the last five years, the hammer price has varied from £30,238 in September 2023 to a high of £85,000 in September 2020. The current average annual growth rate is -2%. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 150.

Unlock up-to-the-minute market data on Banksy's Happy Choppers, login or create a free account today

Auction Results

Auction DateAuction HouseLocation
Hammer Price
Return to Seller
Buyer Paid
March 2024Christie's London United Kingdom
September 2023Sotheby's London United Kingdom
March 2023Christie's London United Kingdom
October 2022Sotheby's New York United States
August 2022Sotheby's Online United Kingdom
July 2022Christie's New York United States
June 2022Phillips London United Kingdom

Meaning & Analysis

The overt and sarcastic criticism of warfare and military activity is something we have come to expect from Banksy artwork. This humorous artwork depicts a hailstorm of gunships, possibly Apaches, approaching over the horizon. A bright blue sky behind them, and fluffy cartoonish clouds belies the oncoming danger. The helicopters are incredibly detailed, with particularly accurate recreation of the rotor blades and landing gear - which serves to accentuate the peril evoked by the artwork. One helicopter is wrapped in a cutesy baby pink ribbon, as though it were a gift, which could be interpreted as a tongue-in-cheek comment on politicians’ rhetoric, who preach that when they “export” their democracy, they consider it a gift to the citizens whose lives they are about to turn upside down through violent conflict.

Some more critical commentary blamed Happy Choppers for making light of war, however it is unlike Banksy to be so blasé about the loss and destruction associated with military activity and intervention, which is an issue he has been seriously advocating against in his artistic practice such as with powerful works like Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower).

  • 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.