Grannies, 2006
MISSING ORIGINAL
Medium: Unknown
Dimensions: Unknown
Exhibited
Barely Legal, Los Angeles, 2006
Grannies features two elderly ladies sitting on aged armchairs enjoying their favorite activity: knitting jumpers and drinking tea. They seem very pleased of themselves, smiling, most probably talking, exchanging good memories, and knitting for their grand-children. However, on closer inspection, the text emblazoned in block-capitals across the jumpers are unlikely slogans: “Punks Not Dead” and “Thug For Life”. They both appear to be quietly pleased with themselves, as they fly in the face of cultural norms, and share such an act of rebellion.
Rendered in Banksy’s signature black and white stencil style, the pair is set against a block pink background, which juxtaposition serves to heighten the humorous contradiction between scene and message, a technique mastered by the artist.
As it is often the case in Banksy‘s works, several interpretations are possible.
Perhaps this artwork reminds the viewer never to underestimate the relatively innocuous appearance of the older generation, which acts as a guise for their rebellious pasts.
James Pfaff, Grannies, Studio Sessions II, London, 2004
Banksy might also well be encouraging the older generations to pass down their acts of defiance to the future generations, along with the knitted jumpers they gift their grandchildren. Obviously, it can also be seen as a metaphor for how artists also impact the world, not through any kind of violence, but simply by creating artworks that are shared with a wide public. On the flip side, it has also been suggested that the picture represents the gentrification of counter-culture into a tame, mainstream movement suitable even for grannies.
Grannies has also been released as one of six prints belonging to the Barely Legal Print Set, which also includes Morons, Trolleys, Applause, Sale Ends and Festival. Grannies was originally released at Barely Legal as an edition of 100 unsigned prints, printed by Modern Multiples, that sold for $500 a piece.
Grannies, 2006
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
56×76 cm
Editions: 150 signed, 500 unsigned
56×76 cm
Editions: 150 signed, 500 unsigned
