Stencil spraypaint on canvas
20.3 x 20.3 cm (8×8 inches)
Signed in stencil on the overlap
Santa’s Ghetto, Dragon Bar, Leonard Street, Shoreditch, East London
Auction History
| Bonhams London 24 February 2009 No Estimates Disclosed |
Price Realized
GBP 15,600 / USD 22,585 |
Catalogue Note
Acquired directly from Santa’s Ghetto at the Dragon Bar in Shoreditch in 2002, this intimate version of Keep It Real embodies the spirit of Banksy’s formative years. Executed in the same year, it depicts the now-iconic chimpanzee carrying the familiar placard inscribed “Keep It Real,” one of the artist’s earliest and most enduring reflections on authenticity, artistic integrity and the increasingly commercial nature of the contemporary art world. As discussed in the principal catalogue entry, the image remains one of Banksy’s defining artistic manifestos.
The intense crimson background gives this small canvas an extraordinary visual presence. Rich, saturated and uncompromising, the colour transforms the work from a simple graphic composition into an image of striking emotional force. Traditionally associated with passion, conviction and revolution, the red field reinforces the ape’s silent message, lending the figure an almost iconic authority. The vibrant monochrome backdrop also recalls the visual language of propaganda posters and political placards, amplifying the urgency of Banksy’s call to remain authentic in an increasingly manufactured world.
Despite its modest dimensions, the composition possesses remarkable balance and impact. The close cropping of the figure brings the viewer into direct confrontation with the ape, while the generous field of uninterrupted colour allows the slogan to dominate the composition with exceptional clarity. Banksy’s mastery lies in this economy of means: a single figure, three simple words and one bold colour are sufficient to create an image of lasting cultural resonance.
“I use monkeys in my pictures for a lot of reasons, guerrilla tactics, cheeky monkeys, the fact that we share 98.5 per cent of our DNA with them. If I want to say something about people, I use a monkey.”
Its provenance further enhances its historical significance. Purchased directly from Santa’s Ghetto, Banksy’s legendary Christmas exhibition in East London, the work originates from one of the defining moments in the artist’s early career, when his imagery first began to attract serious collectors while retaining its unmistakable street sensibility. Early examples acquired directly from the exhibition are increasingly regarded as some of the most historically important unique works from this formative period.
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