Have A Nice Day, 2003 (Hand-Signed)(Framed)

Original hand-signed Banksy poster from Sleazenation's March, 2003 special edition magazine. This particular work is one of a very small number of posters that was hand-signed by Banksy for various advertisers of Sleazenation magazine. The one listed here was never claimed and was hanging in the original POW (Pictures on Walls) office on Scrutton St. for more than a few years. It was given as a gift to Banksy's assistant and Office Manager of POW, Steph Warren, by Steve Lazarides (Banksy's Manager at the time) after they moved to another office. It has been professionally framed in a UV non-reflective museum glass black wooden frame by a local frame shop in Islington called "The Only Place For Pictures".

A very early Banksy piece, these posters were distributed by Sleazenation Magazine in March, 2003 to accompany an interview with Banksy. For that reason, these posters were originally folded and the fold lines do show (see photos). The piece comes with a signed and embossed Certificate of Authenticity from the original owner, Steph Warren (POWs Office Manager), in addition to various POW Banksy ephemera such as an original POW skull and crossbones sticker and a 'DO NOT GET CROSS' faux police tape which was taped across part of the original packaging. 

A similar piece was sold through Chiswick Auctions on March 27, 2018 for approximately $10,615 USD (includes the 30% buyer's premium) and the lot listing can be seen here.

Dimensions: 17 × 21.25 Inches | 41 x 54 cm

Medium: Offset lithograph printed in colors on semi-glossy paper. Professionally float-framed in black wooden frame with rose pink matting in UV-protected non-reflective museum glass.

Provenance: Hand-signed and dated by Banksy lower right corner. Comes with a signed and embossed Letter of Authenticity from the original owner, Steph Warren (POWs Office Manager). Includes an additional Certificate of Authenticity from Post Modern Vandal.  Various POW Banksy ephemera also included (do not cross tape, sticker).

Edition: Unknown edition in very limited quantity (only a few were signed)

Year: 2003

Condition: Good (Vertical fold creases shown across surface. General wear throughout. Creasing on upper left and lower right corners. Small tear on upper right edge. Inspect photos closely)

NOTE: This does not come with a Pest Control certificate, however, you may feel free to apply for one since we have not attempted to procure one.

ARTIST BIO

Banksy (British, born c. 1974/1975) is one of the most well-known, if anonymous, street artists working today. Banksy, the pseudonym adopted by the artist, guards his privacy and the details of his life remain largely unknown to the public. He initially garnered fame for his graffiti, which combines spray paint and stenciling techniques with commercial, political, and contemporary imagery, infused with ironic social commentary and humor. His work first began appearing on walls in and around Bristol and London’s Shoreditch district during the mid-1990s, and he has since gone on to place images on the sides of corporate buildings, billboards, and the Israeli West Bank wall.

The unveiling of a new Banksy works often incorporates pranks or performance. For example, he secretly added his own pieces in museums like the Tate Modern in London or the Paris Louvre, smuggling them in under a coat and discreetly affixing them to a wall. He has also opened gallery shows to the public with specially-bred rats running around the space, and once inserted an inflatable doll dressed as a Guantanamo Bay prisoner into the Disneyland theme park in California.

In 2015, Banksy created a large-scale installation titled Dismaland Bemusement Park, and immersive and fully functional amusement park that featured political commentary on the distribution of wealth, sexism, and the UK government. The park operated from August to September of 2015, was funded by Banksy himself. In addition to his regular graffiti practice, Banksy creates works for several charities, and consistently opens exhibitions to wide audiences and critical acclaim. He lives and works in England.