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Christ With Shopping Bags, 2004

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Christ with Shopping Bags, 2004
Edition: 82 signed
Christ with Shopping Bags, also known as CWSB, portrays the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, yet Banksy has removed the structure of the cross from the iconic scene. Jesus Christ is holding shopping bags, carefully wrapped with fluorescent pink ribbons, and seeping with black blood. The viewer can glimpse Christmas presents such as candy cane and Mickey Mouse. The image is undoubtedly meant as a satire on modern commercialism, pointing a finger at the hypocrisy of modern celebration.
 
The intrusion of consumerism and modern commercialism in the hands of Jesus Christ evokes a sense of unease. Furthermore, Jesus Christ appears in pain, weighed down by the shopping bags, symbolizing the damage consumerism has on the original values of Christianity such as charity, compassion, forgiveness and gratitude. Banksy uses effective motifs such as the melting gifts to suggest the ephemerality of modern Christmas, whilst the crucifixion represents how society has sacrificed happiness for material things, which offer only transitory joy.
 
The grey background and muted colors evoke a sense of foreboding and gloom at the same time reinforcing Banksy’s comment on the superficiality of modern Christmas in this clever composition. Unusually for Banksy, this striking visual was never shown on the street, and its relatively low edition size places it in high demand.
Walled Off Hotel, Jerusalem

It is not the only time that Banksy uses the image of Jesus Christ to make a point… Another very provocative artwork was shown at the Walled Off Hotel together with drones to illustrate the artist’s anti-war position…

 

DESCRIPTION

Christ with Shopping Bags

Year: 2004
Medium: Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Size: 70×50 cm (27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
 

Editions

Edition: 82 signed

AUCTION RESULTS

FOR A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF AUCTION RESULTS
PLEASE CHECK BANKSY VALUE: 2004 PRINTS
YOU WILL ONLY FIND THE MOST RECENT AUCTION RESULTS BELOW

BANKSY VALUE: 2004 Prints

Christ with Shopping Bags sold twice at auction in 2024. It sold at Sotheby’s online on 26 September 2024 for GBP 48,000 (USD 63,888), and at Forum Auctions on 30 April 2024 for GBP 40,200 (USD 50,250).

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 48,000 / USD 63,888

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Christ With Shopping Bags, 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 44/82

Forum Auctions: 30 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 30,000 (HAMMER)
GBP 40,200 / USD 50,250

BANKSY (b.1974)
Christ with Shopping Bags (Signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered from the edition of 82

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