Lenin on Roller Skates, 2003
Edition: 25
Spray-paint on canvas
40.5 x 30.5 x 4 cm (15 7/8 x 12 x 1 5/8 inches)
Signed and dated “Banksy 2003” and numbered /25 on the wooden stretcher
Further tagged “Banksy” on the overlap

Lenin on Roller Skates portrays Soviet Union leader Vladimir Lenin roller-skating in Nike branded skates. This stencil was used to make an edition of 25 canvases, which are each unique. Banksy’s work acts as visual cultural criticism and commentary, with established social and political agendas serving as targets for his unique style of stenciled illustration. In Soviet propaganda, Lenin’s image was commonly depicted with one of his arms outstretched. Banksy satirizes this iconographic symbol of power by re-contextualizing the stereotypical pose as a motion during the act of rollerblading.

Executed in 2003, Lenin on Roller Skates encapsulates the artist’s early and iconic imagery of political satire that became synonymous with his name. This work, depicting Russian Soviet Supreme Leader Lenin, falls squarely into Banksy’s subversive pantheon of recognizable authority figures. The present work has another key element that too has become synonymous with the artist’s work: playfulness. Banksy’s ability to juxtapose roller skates, a totemic symbol of leisure and play, branded Nike, which symbolizes the hegemony of American Capitalism, with that of Lenin, the icon of Communism, is simultaneously humorous and unnerving.

Banksy’s work acts as both visual cultural criticism and commentary, using political agendas as targets for his pioneering technique of stenciled illustration. In Soviet propaganda, Lenin was traditionally portrayed with one outstretched arm. Banksy reprises this pose with a satirical and playful tone, re-contextualising it as a balancing motion during the act of rollerblading. The artist juxtaposes roller skates – symbolic of leisure – that are branded Nike – symbol of the hegemony of American capitalism – with that of the Soviet leader – the icon of Communism. Through this combination of images, Banksy creates a composition that is both humorous and unsettling. With regards to his choice of medium for such anti-establishment statements, the artist stated: “All graffiti is low-level dissent, but stencils have an extra history. They’ve been used to start revolutions and to stop wars” (Banks quoted in: Will Ellesworth-Jones, ‘The Story Behind Banksy’, Smithsonian Magazines, February 2013, online).

Andy Warhol, Lenin

In reading the present work, it is key to consider the context in which Banksy decided to paint one of the most influential and controversial figures of the 20th century. Until 1991, which marked the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Lenin was widely celebrated as a champion of socialism and the working class. In this case, Banksy’s portrait enhances a posthumous view of the figure, as the founder and leader of an authoritarian regime, responsible for political repression and mass killings. Hence through Lenin on Roller Skates with his characteristically humorous style, Banksy satirically critiques the socialist system.

 

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