Share on twitter
Share on facebook
Share on pinterest
Share on email

Heavy Weaponry, 2003-2004

BY

Heavy Weaponry, 2003
Edition: 25
Spray-paint on canvas
25.4 x 30.3 cm (10×12 inches)
Stenciled “BANKSY” in red spray paint on the lateral edge
Further dated and numbered on the stretcher
Some elephants are walking towards the right, others towards the left

Heavy Weaponry depicts a singular elephant made in Banksy’s recognizable stencil style with a rocket strapped to its back. The image of the elephant bearing a rocket on its back carries various interpretations; presumably the general message is anti-military, in line with Banksy’s other works using similar imagery.
This version of Heavy Weaponry is filled with a variety of symbols and motifs that have recurred throughout the Bristol-born artist’s practice: an oversize barcode, and his signature elephant backpacking a missile. As was the case with the first edition of Heavy Weaponry, the piece is charged with a not so thinly veiled “anti-war” sentiment, openly questioning and criticizing the commoditization of military engagement.

Auction Results

This particular version of Heavy Weaponry sold 9 times at auction since 2007.
It last sold at Christie’s New-York on 27 February 2025 USD 119,700.

Heavy Weaponry, 2004

Christie’s New-York: 27 February 2025
Estimated: USD 100,000 – 150,000
USD 119,700

BANKSY (B. 1985), Heavy Weaponry | Christie’s

REPEAT SALE

Sotheby’s New-York: 4 October 2018
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 137,500

(#10) BANKSY | Heavy Weaponry (sothebys.com)

BANKSY (B. 1985)
Heavy Weaponry, 2004
Spray paint on canvas
30.5 x 30.5 cm (12×12 inches)
Stenciled with the artist’s name ‘Banksy’ (on the overlap)
Numbered ‘10⁄25’ (on the stretcher)

Provenance
Lazarides Gallery, London
Private collection, West Coast
The Collection of Marsha and Robin Williams, 2010
Their sale; Sotheby’s, New York, 4 October 2018, lot 10
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

Heavy Weaponry, 2004

Christie’s London: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 150,000 – 250,000
GBP 275,000 / USD 378,175

BANKSY (B. 1974), Heavy Weaponry | Christie’s (christies.com)

BANKSY (B. 1974)
Heavy Weaponry, 2004
Spray paint on canvas
30.5 x 30.5 x 4 cm
Stenciled with the BANKSY tag in red on the overlap
Numbered 12/25 on the stretcher

Provenance
Bonham’s London, 24 October 2007, lot 106
With Lazarides Inc., London
Private Collection

 

HEAVY WEAPONRY, 2003

Sotheby’s London: 22 October 2020
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 315,000 / USD 412,485

BANKSY | HEAVY WEAPONRY | Contemporary Art Day Auction | 2020 | Sotheby’s (sothebys.com)

BANKSY (b. 1975)
HEAVY WEAPONRY, 2003
Spray paint on canvas
25.5 x 30.4 cm (10×12 inches)
Stenciled with the artist’s name on the overturn edge
Dated 2003 and numbered 7/25 on the stretcher

Provenance
Private Collection, New York (acquired from the artist)
Private Collection, United Kingdom
Acquired from the above by the present owner in December 2007

 

HEAVY WEAPONRY, 2003

Sotheby’s London: 19 September 2019
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 125,000 / USD 153,545

BANKSY | HEAVY WEAPONRY | Banksy | Online | 2019 | Sotheby’s (sothebys.com)

BANKSY (b.1974)
HEAVY WEAPONRY, 2003
Spray paint on canvas
25.5 x 30.4 cm (10×12 inches)
Stenciled with the artist’s name on the overlap
Numbered 4/25 on the stretcher

 

Heavy Weaponry, 2004

Sotheby’s New-York: 4 October 2018
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 137,500

(#10) BANKSY | Heavy Weaponry (sothebys.com)

BANKSY
Heavy Weaponry, 2004
Spray paint on canvas
30.5 x 30.5 cm (12×12 inches)
Stenciled with the artist’s name on the right overturn
Numbered 10/25 on the stretcher
This work is number 10 from an edition of 25

Provenance
Lazarides Gallery, London
Private Collection, West Coast
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 2010

Heavy Weaponry, 2003

Phillips London: 15 October 2015
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 37,500 / USD 57,990

Banksy – Contemporary Art Day Sale Lot 207 October 2015 | Phillips

BANKSY
Heavy Weaponry, 2003
Spray paint on canvas
25.5 x 30.5 x 4 cm (10 x 12 x 1 5/8 inches)
Tagged on the right overlap. Signed ‘Banksy’ on the reverse
This work is from an un-numbered series

Heavy Weaponry, 2004

Bonhams London: 2 July 2014
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 52,500 / USD 90,103

Bonhams : Banksy (b. 1975) Heavy Weaponry 2004

BANKSY (b. 1975)
Heavy Weaponry, 2004
Stencil spray paint and acrylic on canvas
30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 15 15/16 inches)
Signed in stencil on the turnover edge; numbered 18/25 on the stretcher
This work was executed in 2004, and is unique in its format
Provenance
Pictures On Walls, London
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 2004

 

 

Heavy Weaponry, 2004

Bonhams Los Angeles: 29 October 2012
Estimated: USD 35,000 – 45,000
USD 47,500

Bonhams : Banksy (British, born 1975) Heavy Weaponry

BANKSY (British, born 1975)
Heavy Weaponry, 2004
Stencil spray paint on canvas
30.5 x 30.5 cm (12×12 inches)
Signed, dated 04 and numbered 14/25 on the stretcher

Heavy Weaponry, 2004

Bonhams London: 24 October 2007
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 38,400 / USD 78,640
BANKSY (British, born 1975)
Heavy Weaponry, 2004
Spray paint stencil on canvas
30.5 x 30.5 cm (12×12 inches)
Signed on the overlap
Numbered 12/25 to the reverse

Gallery

More like this

wpChatIcon
wpChatIcon