Avon and Somerset Constabulary (Pink), 2000
Edition: 10
Acrylic and stencil spray-paint on canvas
76 x 76 x 4.5 cm (29 7/8 x 29 7/8 x 1 3/4 inches)
Dated and numbered /10 in black ink with the artist’s stamp on the stretcher verso

Avon and Somerset Police is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement in the county of Somerset, and in the four districts that were in the (now defunct) county of Avon: Bristol, Bath and Northeast Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. The relationship between Banksy and law enforcement is nuanced, to say the least – and is a theme he revisits often in his work. When the artist started his graffiti career in Bristol, the local police force had a particularly draconian policy against graffiti, and those caught graffitiing were jailed for their offense.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary (Blue), 2001
Edition: 10
Of which 3 have been printed
Acrylic and spray-paint stencil on canvas
61×61 cm (24×24 inches)
Stenciled with the artist’s name

This work is in a way Banksy‘s revenge, as he presents two police officers, on a pink background, using binoculars, looking up, down, everywhere – seemingly having no clue what they are looking for. Banksy appears to be questioning our priorities as a society that we feel spray painting art on the side of buildings is a big threat and danger to our society, while much greater crimes and injustices are carried out in plain sight. It is the duty of police to “protect and serve,” yet we, as a society, tolerate and accept much more significant issues without batting an eye.

Auction Results

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Avon and Somerset Constabulary only sold 3 times at public auction since 2008. It last sold at SBI Art Auction in Japan, on 31 October 2020, for USD 978,727. It is the most expensive Banksy edition to ever sell at auction.

It had sold previously on 1 April 2019, at Sotheby’s Hong-Kong for USD 382,185.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary, 2000

SBI Art Auction, 31 October 2021

JPY 92,000,000 / USD 878,727

Avon and Somerset Constabulary (Pink), 2000
Spray paint on canvas
76×76 cm (30×30 inches)
Stenciled with the artist’s name
Numbered 4/10 and dated 2000 on the stretcher
Sotheby’s London: 29 June 2017
GBP 81,250