Jack and Jill, 2005
MISSING ORIGINALS
Medium: Unknown
Dimensions: Unknown
Exhibited
Santa’s Ghetto, London, December 2005
Jack and Jill, also known as Police Kids, portrays two innocent, carefree, and seemingly happy children running together. At first glance, the image appears picturesque and innocent, until the viewer sees their bulletproof vests with “POLICE” emblazoned in capital letters across their chests. The children seem to be running and floating within a blocked sky blue background giving a sense of absolute liberty. Furthermore, the dark blue background gives a feeling of freedom, and yet the children are wearing bulletproof police vests. A classic subversion technique employed by Banksy to let the viewer know that all is not always what it seems to be… The jarring aesthetic of children in bulletproof police jackets is at odds with the supposed freedom and innocence of childhood.
Jack and Jill was released as a print in 2005, in two editions of 350 signed and 350 unsigned prints.
Police Kids, 2005
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
50×70 cm (19 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches)
Editions: 350 signed, 350 unsigned
As it is often the case, this work leads to many different interpretations. It could be referring to the fact that some overbearing parents feel the need to over-protect their children and don’t let them be who they want to be. More widely, one could see a possible metaphor for the way in which law enforcement is restricting people’s freedom.
The names of the children are based on the nursery rhyme “Jack and Jill went up the hill.” In the rhyme the children go up the hill and fall. Childhood should be a time to explore and be carefree. Maybe life should be a time for all to explore freely…
