Choose Your Weapon, 2010

sebastien laboureau

May 15, 2021

Choose Your Weapon (Grey), 2010

Edition: 100 signed

‘Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty, you can make someone smile while they are having a piss.’

Choose Your Weapon, also known as CYW, is a portrayal of British disaffected youth and gang culture whose aggressive dogs have become weaponry in their quest for power. The naïve style of the dog further evokes the detachment to the reality of a weapons ability. The hooded man’s menacing appearance is contrasted by his casual hand-in-the-pocket posture and his big barking cartoon dog. The connotation in much of the media at the time, and in Banksy’s own interpretation, is that the dog has become an alternative weapon on the streets of the UK.

An aloof, hooded figure wearing a mask, baggy jeans and trainers stands casually with one hand in his pocket, diametrically opposed to the frenzied, barking dog whose leash he tightly grips. The unidentifiable figure, whose appearance is much alike how Banksy is often represented, combines the artist’s quintessential stencil technique with a greater realism and three-dimensionality. His minimalist dog however, is rendered in a flat, hieroglyphic style with a thick black outline and solid white center. The contrasting figures of Banksy’s Choose Your Weapon first appeared in life-size scale on the wall of a pub in Bermondsey, South London, in 2010. The work refers to the increase in gang violence in the UK and the adoption of dogs trained to aggressively attack. Portraying man’s best friend acting as his weapon, the image is a commentary on the disaffected youth of modern Britain.

Banksy’s barking dog also pays tribute to Keith Haring’s famous icon from the 1980s. One of the street artist’s most universally recognized symbols, colorful canines with mouths open mid-yap are found throughout his body of work, from early subway tags to merchandise sold in Haring’s Pop Shops. The dog as a character has come to represent authoritarian governments, abuses of power, and police states, with artists using the symbol to warn against a mirage of oppressive regimes. Like Haring, Banksy appropriates this symbol to spread his own message. The simplicity of the dog, with its associations to Haring’s playful and cartoonish visual language, evoke a detachment to the reality of danger. It implies that the youth are often demonized and misrepresented as threatening, as well as echoing their distrust of the authorities. In adopting Haring’s motif and adding the drips of wet paint, Choose Your Weapon reminds us that the visual language of graffiti is a powerful weapon in combatting oppression. Here, Banksy declares Art to be his weapon in the fight for peace and democratic freedom and invites the viewer to choose their own.

‘Art is nothing if you don’t reach every segment of the people.’

The dog’s simple, cartoonish shape references Haring’s interest in Egyptian hieroglyphics, an example of how humans communicate their experiences through universal shapes and signs. Haring’s “Barking Dogs” can be found throughout his body of work, from some of his early Subway Drawings to merchandise sold in his Pop Shops. In 1990, just a few months before his early death, Haring chose to immortalize his “Barking Dog” motif alongside four of his most celebrated symbols in a series of lithographs entitled “Icons” cementing the graphic canine as one of the most important symbols in his body of work.

Keith Haring
Barking Dog From Icons, 1990
Screen-print with embossing in colors on Arches wove paper
53.3 x 63.5 cm (21×25 inches)
Edition: 250

The Barking Dog, for example, can indicate action or suspicion. The Dog as a character, sometimes represented as a standing figure (combined with a human form), represents authoritarian government, abuse of power, police states, and oppressive regimes. In addition to these two representations, the other dogs in the art of Keith Haring are all anthropomorphic. Certain Dogs are depicted dancing, laughing, DJing, etc. in these personifications, it is almost as though they take on the role of an alter ego of the artist. Throughout Art History, Dogs have been portrayed in paintings as the personification of fidelity. Dogs also imply loyalty, guidance, protection and love. As a student of semiotics, none of these implications would have been lost on haring and it is not surprising that this would be one of his most-used icons.

RELEASE HISTORY

Choose Your Weapon was released by Pictures on Walls at their East London gallery, Marks & Stencils in Soho and through an online lottery. The first release included 15 different colorways (including a main edition of 100 in Grey). 14 colorways were editions of 25 signed prints. Other colorways were released afterwards, including Choose Your Weapon (Fluoro Green). Choose Your Weapon is the last Banksy Print released by Pictures on Walls.

8 Colorways @ POW

Bright Pink, Bright Purple, Dark Orange, Khaki, Light Orange, Slate, Soft Yellow, Turquoise

3 Colorways @ Marks & Stencils

Lemon, Olive and Magenta

3 Colorways @ Online Lottery

Red, Sky Blue, Green, and the Main Edition in Grey (100 prints)

Special VIP Editions

Gold, Silver, and White, never released to the public

Queue Jumper’s Edition

An edition of 58 prints in Warm Grey were sold to customers who complained to POW about missing out due to Queue Jumping. Indeed, At POW’s East London gallery there were scenes of absolute bedlam as a huge queue formed outside the gallery from 10pm on Friday when the news about the release hit the inboxes.

“Each print is GBP 450 but if it’s any consolation Banksy is donating all royalties to the VOINA artist cooperative in Russia, two of whom are currently residing in a St Petersburg jail.”

“VOINA are the people who drew a giant penis on a road bridge
opposite the KGB headquarters and protested against police corruption by overturning eleven patrol cars in one night.”

COLORWAYS

Choose Your Weapon (Queue Jumper), 2010
Edition: 58 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Bright Pink), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Bright Purple), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Dark Orange), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Khaki), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Light Orange), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Slate), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Soft Yellow), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Turquoise), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Lemon), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Olive), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Magenta), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Magenta), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Sky Blue), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Green), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Gold VIP), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Silver VIP), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (White VIP), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Fluoro Green), 2010
Edition: 25 signed

DESCRIPTION

Choose Your Weapon

Year: 2010

Medium: Screen-print in colors on wove paper

Size: 70×70 cm (27 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches)

Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Editions

Choose Your Weapon (Grey): 100 signed

Choose Your Weapon (Warm Grey – Queue Jumper): 58 signed

——

Colorway Editions

14 regular colorways: 25 signed each

Bright Pink, Bright Purple, Dark Orange, Khaki, Light Orange, Slate

Soft Yellow, Turquoise, Lemon, Olive, Magenta, Red, Sky Blue, Green

3 VIP Editions: 25 signed each

Gold, Silver, White

Some prints from the White VIP Editions are hand-finished with red dots

—–

Artist’s Proofs Edition

Total Edition: 58 signed AP

17 different colorways

Numbering and Signature

Signed in crayon with matching color, lower right

Numbered in crayon with matching color, lower left

AUCTION RESULTS

Updated as of 1 August 2023

4 Colorways of Choose Your Weapon sold so far in 2023, including a Gold VIP Edition.

1. CYW (Cool/Warm Grey)

Choose Your Weapon (Cool Grey), 2010
Signed in grey crayon, lower right
Numbered 33/100 in grey crayon, lower left
Christie’s online, 15 March 2022
GBP 100,800 / USD 133,056

Choose Your Weapon (Queue Jumping), 2010
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 19/58 in pencil, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 17 September 2021
GBP 113,400 / USD 157,626

Choose Your Weapon (Queue Jumper), 2010

Signed in pencil, lower right

Numbered 19/58 in pencil, lower left

Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021

GBP 201,600 / USD 280,224

2. CYW (Colorways)

2023 Auction Highlights

Bonhams New-York: 30 October 2023
Estimated: USD 80,000 – 120,000
USD 89,400

BANKSY (born 1974)

Choose Your Weapon (Dark Blue), 2010
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon and numbered ‘AP 6’
An artist’s proof from the total edition of 58 artist’s proofs in different color variants

Artnet Auctions: 12 October 2023
Estimated: USD 70,000 – 100,000
USD 87,500

BANKSY
Choose Your Weapon (Soft Yellow), 2010
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed in yellow crayon, numbered 13/25

Christie’s online: 28 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 88,200 / USD 107,784

BANKSY
Choose Your Weapon (Light Orange), 2010
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in orange crayon, numbered 20/25

Christie’s online: 28 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 100,000 – 150,000
GBP 126,000 / USD 153,977

BANKSY
Choose Your Weapon AP (Dark Blue), 2010
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered AP/4 in blue crayon
One of a small number of impressions of this rare colorway
From the edition of 58 artist’s proofs comprised of different color variants

Forum Auctions: 24 May 2023
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 90,000
Hammer: GBP 63,000
GBP 84,420 / USD 104,402

Choose Your Weapon (Dark Orange), 2010
Signed in orange crayon, lower right
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 25, lower left

———-

Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 100,000 – 150,000
GBP 139,700

Choose Your Weapon – Dark Blue, 2010
Signed in blue crayon, inscribed ‘4 JAMMAL’
From an unreleased colorway that has not been published in a numbered edition

————

Forum Auctions: 22 February 2023
Estimated: GBP 150,000 – 200,000
GBP 184,920 / USD 227,452

Choose Your Weapon (VIP Gold), 2010
Signed in pink pencil, lower right
Numbered /25 with the publisher’s blindstamp

———-

Forum Auctions: 31 January 2023
GBP 93,800 / USD 115,374

Choose Your Weapon (Bright Pink), 2010
Signed in yellow crayon, lower right
From the numbered edition of 25

2022 Auction Highlights

Choose Your Weapon (Slate)
Signed in green crayon, lower right
Numbered in green crayon 19/25
Sotheby’s London: 13 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 100,800 / USD 116,209

Choose your Weapon (Silver), 2010
Signed in silver ink, lower right
Numbered 13/25 in pencil, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 17 August 2022
GBP 138,600 / USD 166,320

Choose Your Weapon (Silver), 2010
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 8/25 in pencil, lower left
Heritage Auctions, 28 July 2022
USD 131,250

Choose Your Weapon (Bright Purple), 2010
Signed in purple crayon, lower right
Numbered 20/25 in purple crayon, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
GBP 126,000 / USD 158,760

Choose Your Weapon (Yellow), 2010
Signed in yellow crayon, lower right
Numbered /25 in yellow crayon, lower left
Forum Auctions, 25 April 2022
GBP 80,400 / USD 101,304

Choose Your Weapon (Gold VIP), 2010
Signed in pink crayon, lower right
Numbered 5/25 in pink crayon, lower left
Christie’s online, 15 March 2022
GBP 239,400 / USD 316,008

Choose Your Weapon (Olive), 2010
Signed in Olive crayon, lower right
Numbered /25 in Olive crayon, lower left
Forum Auctions, 3 February 2022
GBP 131,320 / USD 179,908

Choose Your Weapon (Khaki), 2010
Signed in Khaki crayon, lower right
Numbered /25 in Khaki crayon, lower left
Forum Auctions, 3 February 2022
GBP 108,540 / USD 148,700

Choose Your Weapon (Dark Purple AP), 2010
Signed in purple pencil, lower right
Inscribed ‘AP/18’ in purple pencil, lower left
From the edition of 58 Artist’s Proofs (varying colorways)
Phillips London, 19 January 2022
GBP 151,200 / USD 207,144

2021 Auction Highlights

Choose Your Weapon (Magenta AP), 2010
Signed in magenta crayon, lower right
From the AP edition of 58 signed (various colorways)
Forum Auctions, 14 December 2021
Hammer: GBP 127,000
GBP 170,180 / USD 229,743

Choose Your Weapon (Red AP), 2010
Signed in red crayon, lower right
Numbered AP/44 in red crayon, lower left
Forum Auctions, 20 October 2021
GBP 150,080 / USD 208,611

Choose Your Weapon (Bright Pink), 2010
Signed in pink crayon, lower right
Numbered 23/25 in pink crayon, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 17 September 2021
GBP 176,400 / USD 245,196

Choose Your Weapon (Bright Pink), 2010

Signed in yellow crayon, lower right

Numbered 8/25 in yellow pencil, lower left

Phillips Hong-Kong, 7 June 2021

GBP 183,099 / USD 260,000

Choose Your Weapon (Soft Yellow), 2010

Signed in yellow crayon, lower right

Numbered 8/25 in yellow pencil, lower left

International Art Center, 30 March 2021

GBP 238,919 / USD 329,708

Choose Your Weapon (Fluoro Green), 2010

Signed in green crayon, lower right

Numbered 8/25 in pencil, lower left

Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021

GBP 302,400 / USD 420,336

Choose Your Weapon (Lemon), 2010

Signed in yellow crayon, lower right

Numbered 17/25, lower left

Phillips Hong-Kong, 4 December 2020

GBP 184,492 / USD 243,529

Choose Your Weapon, 2010

‘Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty, you can make someone smile while they are having a piss.’

‘Art is nothing if you don’t reach every segment of the people.’