HAVE A NICE DAY, 2003

Title

Have a Nice Day

Year

2003

Medium

Screenprint in black on wove paper

Sheet

35×100 cm (13 5/8 x 39 inches)

Printer & Publisher

Pictures on Walls, London

Edition

500, of which 50 signed

Artist's Proofs

31 signed AP

Anarchist Book Fair Edition

67 signed — different font and slight compositional differences

Have a Nice Day depicts riot policemen in a single, intimidating line, grouped around a grey and black tank, underneath which the words “Have a nice day” are written. The men are wearing black riot gear, marching in unison towards the viewer of the piece or some unknown threat. However, the policemen's faces are replaced with bright yellow smiley faces, a motif Banksy used often to portray figures who use fear as a means of control. The print speaks to the idea that the police force is not always what it seems to be, perhaps hiding behind their smiles.