Lenin on Rollerblades (Who Put the Revolution on Ice?), 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
Between the 1990s and 2000s, Banksy created different portraits mocking international political leaders. Lenin on Roller Skates, executed in 2003, shows the ex-Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin roller-skating on Nike-branded skates, perhaps as a comment on capitalism taking over revolutionary or socialist ideology. This work encapsulates the artist’s early and iconic imagery of political satire that became synonymous with his name. In the same years, he also portrayed Lenin as a punk Mohican, an image that first appeared outside a public toilet in Bristol. Among his subjects were the former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, which he similarly depicted with a green mohawk hairstyle, and Che Guevara, also shown roller-skating.
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.
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-contextualizing 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.
Auction Results
Lenin on Rollerblades
(Who Put the Revolution on Ice?), 2003
Bonhams Los Angeles: 1 March 2024
Estimated: USD 80,000 – 120,000
USD 140,200
Bonhams : BANKSY (B. 1974) Lenin on Rollerblades (Who Put the Revolution on Ice), 2003
REPEAT SALE
Bonhams New-York: 9 November 2009
Estimated: USD 25,000 – 35,000
USD 24,400
Bonhams : Banksy (British, born 1975) Lenin on Rollerblades, 2003 16 x 12in (40.6 x 30.5cm) unframed
Spray paint on canvas
40.6 x 30.5 cm (16×12 inches)
Signed with artist’s stencil ‘BANKSY’ (on the right turning edge)
Numbered and dated ’15/25 2003′ (on the stretcher)
This work is number fifteen from the edition of twenty-five
Provenance
Santa’s Ghetto, London
Private Collection (acquired directly from the above in 2003)
Sale: Bonhams, New York, Post-War & Contemporary Art, 10 November 2009, lot 80
Private Collection, Los Angeles (acquired from the above sale)
Acquired by descent from the above by the present owner in 2019
Lenin on Roller Skates, 2003
Estimated: GBP 250,000 – 350,000
PASSED
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Lenin on Roller Skates, 2003
Spray paint on canvas
Stenciled with the artist’s name on the overturn edge
Numbered 17/25 and dated 2003 on the stretcher
Lenin on Rollerblades, 2003
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 52,500 / USD 84,165
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 16,800 / USD 25,130
Stencil spray paint on canvas
Numbered 20/25 on the reverse
Lenin on Rollerblades, 2003
Bonhams Los Angeles: 28 October 2012
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 43,750
Bonhams : Banksy (British, born 1975) Lenin on Rollerblades (Who Put the Revolution on Ice) 2003
Stencil spray paint on canvas
Numbered 19/25 on the reverse
Lenin on Rollerblades, 2003
Bonhams London: 30 June 2010
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 15,600 / USD 23,350
Stencil spray paint stencil on canvas
Signed, dated and numbered ‘4/25’ to the stretcher
Also with stencil spray paint signature to the overlap
