“The Greatest Crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules.”
Flying Copper shows an armed police officer. The policeman has a striking yellow smiley face which evokes of 1990s acid house culture but also a simply-drawn popular and childlike design, together with angel wings attached to his back. The symbolism of the smiling face juxtaposed with assault rifle and armor shows a striking image of oppression and threat hiding behind a friendly face. Flying Copper explores the line between “peace-keeper” and “militant forces,” reminding the viewer to be skeptical of those with too much authority or power.
Flying Copper first appeared under a number of giant cut-out paintings suspended on cardboard from the ceiling at Turf War, Banksy’s first major exhibition in a warehouse in East London in 2003. The cut-outs were later spotted on the streets of Vienna and London, where the stencil appeared with a distinct red Banksy tag through the middle of it. Shoreditch Bridge also featured a row of Flying Coppers at some point.
Flying Copper is one of Banksy’s earliest and most iconic images. As such, it is well known all around the world. Indeed, this visual is the perfect example of Banksy’s style featuring contrasting aesthetics: photo-realistic stencils combined with graphic features. Combining those features results in a striking visual that sticks in the mind of the viewer. The juxtaposition of opposing concepts compels the audience to reconcile the fact that the “smiley face” (happiness), on an individual outfitted with riot gear (fear and intimidation) are perhaps not as contradictory as we might naturally think.
Banksy combines them into one singular image to question the role the police state truly plays and how “perception vs reality” are oftentimes very different. The little angel wings on the policeman’s back accentuate an amusing juxtaposition between morality, truth, military control and intimidation.
Smiling Copper, 2003
Spray-paint and acrylic on cardboard
200×78 cm (78 3/4 x 30 3/4 inches)
From a series
DESCRIPTION
Flying Copper
Editions
COLORWAYS
AUCTION RESULTS
FOR A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF AUCTION RESULTS
PLEASE CHECK BANKSY VALUE: EARLY PRINTS
YOU WILL ONLY FIND THE MOST RECENT AUCTION RESULTS BELOW
Flying Copper (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2024 at an average price of GBP 15,443 (USD 19,773). It sold for its highest price of GBP 18,000 (USD 22,828) for 2024 at Tate Ward Auctions on 20 March 2024.
Tate Ward Auctions: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 14,000 – 18,000
GBP 18,000 / USD 22,828
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Flying Copper (unsigned), 2003
Screen print in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil
Flying Copper (signed) has not sold at auction in 2024. Flying Copper (signed) sold 3 times at auction in 2023 at an average price of GBP 44,633 (USD 55,518).
Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 60,960 / USD 75,885
BANKSY
Flying Copper (signed), 2003
Signed and dated in black ink, lower right
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 53/150 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
