MICKEY SNAKE, 2015

Exhibited

• Somerset, Dismaland, 21 August – 27 September 2015 (another from the edition exhibited).

Provenance

• Vroom & Varossieau Urban Contemporary Art, Amsterdam
• Corporate collection, Hong Kong
• Acquired from the above by the present owner

Auction History

Catalogue Note

Banksy, the elusive street artist, has long challenged societal norms through provocative works and reached global fame by taking his art to the streets and making it accessible to anyone. Among his diverse creations, Mickey Snake (2015) stands out as a striking sculpture critiquing consumer culture and corporate influence.

Crafted from fiberglass, polyester resin, and acrylic, Mickey Snake was produced in a limited edition of five. It marks Banksy’s expansion into sculpture, moving beyond the stencils and murals that define much of his career. The artwork depicts Mickey Mouse, an emblem of childhood innocence and Disney’s global reach, being consumed by a snake, a classic symbol of danger and deceit. This unsettling imagery underscores Banksy’s recurring critique of capitalism, mass media, and the seductive yet destructive nature of consumerism.

One version from the small edition was prominently featured in Banksy’s dystopian amusement park Dismaland in 2015 before being acquired by American DJ Steve Aoki, who displayed it in his living room and featured in in various articles. With Mickey Snake, Banksy skillfully transforms familiar imagery into sharp social commentary. By depicting an icon of entertainment engulfed by a menacing force, he compels viewers to reconsider the pervasive power of corporate entities and the lure of consumerism in modern culture.