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Nola, 2008

BY
Nola (White Rain), 2008
Edition: 289 signed
 

‘Some of the things that are supposed to protect us, can also harm us.’

 

Nola portrays a young girl in black and white, in a dress beneath a black umbrella, holding one hand out and feeling the rain that is pouring down. The background is a block grey as white rain falls from the umbrella. Rendered in Banksy’s classic graffiti-spray-stencil style, this artwork that originally appeared as a mural on a wall in New Orleans.

 

This striking image of a girl being drenched by rain from inside of her umbrella is in reference to the devastating event of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which have been amplified by failure of the flood defenses that had been designed to protect the citizens from such a disaster. Naturally, an umbrella is designed to keep the individual using it dry and protected from the elements. The fact that the rain is falling not from the sky but instead from the inside of the umbrella is Banksy’s way of suggesting to the viewer that very things (or institutions) that were created and designed to protect us can, at times, do quite the opposite – a scathing indictment of FEMA and the government’s response to protect and help the people directly affected by Hurricane Katrina.

RELEASE HISTORY

Nola was released in late 2008 as a limited edition of 289 prints with White Rain. The edition size of 289 relates to the age of the city of New Orleans where this visual first appeared. During the initial on sale – they experienced technical difficulties whereby Pictures on Walls accidentally oversold the edition – leaving them with not enough prints to fill the orders they accepted. Shortly after the mishap, they created a Grey Rain edition of 63 prints, and offered the right of first refusal to those customers who didn’t get a White Rain edition due to the oversell.
Nola (Grey Rain), 2008
Edition: 63 signed
Two colorways have appeared since the print was originally released: 32 in Orange Rain and 31 in Yellow Rain, neither of which were offered to the public for sale.
Banksy also released a rare set of Nola Artist’s Proof editions of 66 that came in 6 unique variations of Multicolor Rain, reserved for VIP collectors. All Nola prints are signed and numbered by the artist.

DESCRIPTION

Nola

Year: 2008
Medium: Screen-print in colors on Arches wove paper
Size: 76×56 cm (30×22 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Editions

Nola (White Rain): 289 signed
Nola (Grey Rain): 63 signed
Nola (Orange Rain): 32 signed
Nola (Yellow Rain): 31 signed
Artist’s Proofs Editions
Nola (Multicolor Rain): 66 signed AP
6 different colorways of various multicolor rain

Numbering and Signature

Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

COLORWAYS

 

Nola (Orange Rain)

Nola (Orange Rain), 2008
Edition: 32 signed

Nola (Yellow Rain)

Nola (Yellow Rain), 2008
Edition: 31 signed

Nola (Multicolor Rain AP)

Nola (Green to Blue Rain), 2008
From the AP Edition of 66 signed prints

Nola (Green to Burgundy Rain), 2008
From the AP Edition of 66 signed prints

Nola (Pink to Yellow Rain), 2008
From the AP Edition of 66 signed prints

Nola (Green Rain), 2008
From the AP Edition of 66 signed prints

AUCTION RESULTS

1. Nola (White Rain)

Nola (White Rain) sold once at auction in 2024, at Forum Auctions, on 11 June 2024, for GBP 60,300 (USD 76,883).

Nola (White Rain) did not sell at auction in 2023.

Nola (White Rain) sold twice at auction in 2022, at Forum Auctions on 3 February 2022 for GBP 116,580 (USD 159,715), and at Sotheby’s in London, on 30 June 2022, for GBP 88,200 (USD 108,486).

Nola (White Rain) sold 4 times at auction in 2021, at an average price of GBP 136,564 (USD 188,465). The highest price ever paid at auction for Nola (White Rain) is GBP 154,100 (USD 211,117), achieved at Forum Auctions on 5 March 2021.

 

2024 Auction Results

Nola (White Rain) sold once at auction in 2024, at Forum Auctions, on 11 June 2024, for GBP 60,300 (USD 76,883).

Forum Auctions: 11 June 2024
Estimated: GBP 45,000 – 55,000
GBP 45,000 (Hammer)
GBP 60,300 / USD 76,883

BANKSY (b.1974)
Nola (White Rain) (signed), 2008
Screenprint in grey and black on Arches 88 wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 289 with the publisher’s blindstamp

2022 Auction Results

Nola (White Rain) sold twice at auction in 2022, at Forum Auctions on 3 February 2022 for GBP 116,580 (USD 159,715), and at Sotheby’s in London, on 30 June 2022, for GBP 88,200 (USD 108,486).

Sotheby’s London, 30 June 2022
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 90,000
GBP 88,200 / USD 108,486

BANKSY
Nola (White Rain), 2008
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 94/289 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Forum Auctions: 3 February 2022
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 116,580 / USD 159,715

BANKSY
Nola (White Rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 289

2021 Auction Results

Nola (White Rain) sold 4 times at auction in 2021, at an average price of GBP 136,564 (USD 188,465). The highest price ever paid at auction for Nola (White Rain) is GBP 154,100 (USD 211,117), achieved at Forum Auctions on 5 March 2021.

 

Bonhams online: 29 June 2021
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 125,250 / USD 173,241 

BANKSY (BORN 1974)
Nola (White), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered 176/289 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Heritage Auctions: 22 April 2021
Estimated: USD 100,000 – 150,000
USD 162,500
BANKSY (BORN 1974)
Nola (White Rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered 238/289 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 150,000 / USD 207,000

BANKSY (B. 1974)
NOLA (White), 2008
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 54/289 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 90,000 – 120,000
GBP 154,100 / USD 211,117
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR NOLA (WHITE RAIN)

BANKSY (B. 1974)
NOLA (White), 2008
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 57/289 with the publisher’s blindstamp

2. Nola (Grey Rain)

Nola (Grey Rain) is the second largest edition of Nola Prints, made of 63 signed prints. It only sold 5 times at auction since 2008, including once in 2022, and twice in 2021. Nola (Grey Rain) last sold at auction on 26 April 2022, at Sotheby’s online for EUR 88,200 (USD 111,132).

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
EUR 88,200 / USD 111,132

BANKSY
Nola (Grey Rain), 2008
Aside from the numbered edition of 63
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed ‘M’ with a heart and peace symbol, lower left

Sotheby’s Milan: 15 December 2021
Estimated: EUR 90,000 – 130,000
EUR 119,700 / USD 134,766

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Nola (Grey rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors
Signed and numbered 48/63 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 174,200 / USD 242,138

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Nola (Grey rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 wove paper
Signed and numbered 58/63 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s London: 19 September 2019
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 68,750 / USD 84,450

BANKSY (b.1974)
NOLA (GREY), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 31/63

3. Nola (Orange Rain)

Nola (Orange Rain) was released in 2008 as an edition of 32 signed prints. The numbered edition only sold four times at auction.

Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 107,950 / USD 134,380

Nola (Orange Rain), 2008
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 14/32 in pencil, lower left

Forum Auctions: 22 February 2023
Estimated: GBP 110,000 – 150,000
GBP 136,680 / USD 168,116

Nola (Orange Rain), 2008
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered /32 in pencil, lower left with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 150,000 – 200,000
GBP 189,000 / USD 238,140

BANKSY
Nola (Orange Rain), 2008
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed ‘Thanks Josie ❤X’ in pencil, lower left
Aside from the numbered edition of 32

Tate Ward Auction, 7 December 2021
GBP 237,500 / USD 318,250

Nola (Orange Rain), 2008
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 12/32 in pencil, lower left

 

4. Nola (Yellow Rain)

Nola (Yellow Rain) was released in 2008 as an edition of 31 signed prints. Nola (Yellow Rain), a print aside from the edition, sold at Christie’s online for the highest price ever paid at auction for a Nola print at GBP 375,000 (USD 517,500) on 1 April 2021.

Christie’s online: 1 April 2025
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 81,900 / USD 105,815

BANKSY
NOLA (Green Rain), 2007
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered 13/31 in pencil, with the artist’s blindstamp

Christie’s Online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 120,000 – 180,000
GBP 151,200 / USD 185,976

BANKSY
NOLA (Green Rain), 2007
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil lower right
Numbered 17/31 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Tate Ward Auction: 7 December 2021
GBP 216,000 / USD 289,440

BANKSY
Nola (Yellow Rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 23/31 in pencil, lower left

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 200,000 – 300,000

GBP 375,000 / USD 517,500

BANKSY
Nola (Yellow Rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pink crayon, lower right
Inscribed and dedicated in pink crayon, lower left
Sotheby’s online: 19 September 2020
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000

GBP 226,800 / USD 294,840

BANKSY
Nola (Yellow Rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 30/31 in pencil, lower left


5. Nola (Signed AP)

Only 6 Nola Prints from this very rare edition of 66 signed APs in varying colorways of multi-color rain sold at auction since 2008.

Forum Auctions: 13 December 2022
Estimated: GBP 115,000 – 150,000
GBP 147,400 / USD 182,400

BANKSY
Nola (Green/Blue Rain AP), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed AP in pencil, lower left
One of 66 Artist’s Proofs printed in various colorways

Sotheby’s London: 30 June 2022
Estimated: GBP 120,000 – 180,000
GBP 163,800 / USD 201,474

BANKSY
Nola (Green Rain AP), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed AP/05 in pencil, lower left
One of 66 Artist’s Proofs printed in various colorways

Christie’s London: 2 July 2021
Estimated: GBP 200,000 – 300,000
GBP 218,750 / USD 303,000

BANKSY
Nola (Blue to Green Rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right

Numbered AP/26 in pencil, lower left

 

Bonhams London: 18 December 2017
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 75,000 / USD 100,342

BANKSY (British, born 1975)
Nola (Blue and Green Rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and inscribed with a heart AP/01 in blue crayon
A unique unpublished color variant

Christie’s London: 20 September 2017
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 90,000 / USD 121,581

BANKSY (B. 1974)
NOLA (Pink and Yellow Rain), 2008
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil, inscribed with a peace symbol and a heart, dedicated to JM
A very rare, unpublished color variant

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