Turf War, 2003
Edition: 750 (150 signed)
‘The original Thug. Immortalized here is the moment turf was placed on the statue of the big man during London’s May Day riots. Arguably the best piece of vandalism this country has seen in over a decade.’
Turf War reproduces a famous portrait of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to which was added a bright green mohawk. Considered to be one of the 20th century’s most significant political figures, Churchill is best remembered for his wartime triumphs rather than his messy dealings with colonialism. Banksy’s used a famous 1941 photograph taken by Yussuf Karsh which is seen as an historical reference to the Prime Minister’s leadership during World War II and his persistence through adversity.
Yussuf Karsh, Winston Churchill, 1941
However, this is no tribute; here Banksy appears to be denouncing the constant battles for borders and territory that have come to define 20th and 21st century politics at great cost to civilian lives. Turf War is titled after Banksy’s early solo exhibition of the same name, which took place in London in 2003. The original painting for Turf War was suspended from the ceiling. At that occasion, Churchill, no longer bald, has been brought into the punk era by Banksy with a striking new hair style.
Turf War, London, 2003
The bright green hair is the only splash of color in the print, with the rest in typical black and white, which is a frequent motif used by the artist in his prints. As with many Banksy artworks, this image has been co-opted and appears across tote bags, posters, coasters and t-shirts across the web. The title Turf War, seems to suggest that war is little more than just that, a squabble over territory.
The bright green Mohauk is also clearly a witty allusion to Churchill‘s appetite for land…
Turf War was released for the price of GBP 150 for a signed print and GBP 34.99 for an unsigned print.
DESCRIPTION
Turf War
Year: 2003
Medium: Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Size: 50×35 cm (19 1/2 x 13 5/8 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
Editions
Edition: 750 (of which 150 signed)
AUCTION RESULTS
1. Turf War (unsigned)
Turf War (unsigned) sold twice at auction in 2024, at Forum Auctions, on 30 April 2024 for GBP 10,720 (USD 13,400), and at Roseberys in London, on 23 April 2024 for GBP 13,120 (USD 16,400).
Turf War (unsigned) sold once at auction in 2023 at Tate Ward Auctions on 7 June 2023 for GBP 20,000 (USD 24,897).
Turf War (unsigned) sold twice at auction in 2022 at Forum Auctions in London on 19 July 2022 for GBP 32,160 (USD 39,557), and at Roseberys in London, on 8 March 2022 for GBP 31,200 (USD 43,748).
Turf War (unsigned) sold at Forum Auctions in London, on 4 September 2020, for GBP 64,320 (USD 84,905), its all-time high auction record.
2024 Auction Results
Turf War (unsigned) sold twice at auction in 2024, at Forum Auctions, on 30 April 2024 for GBP 10,720 (USD 13,400), and at Roseberys in London, on 23 April 2024 for GBP 13,120 (USD 16,400).
Forum Auctions: 30 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 8,000 (HAMMER)
GBP 10,720 / USD 13,400
BANKSY (b.1974)
Turf War (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in green and black on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 750 in pencil
Rosebery’s London: 23 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 11,000 – 15,000
GBP 13,120 / USD 16,400
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Turf War (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered 293/750 in pencil, with copyright Banksy mark
2023 Auction Results
Turf War (unsigned) sold once at auction in 2023 at Tate Ward Auctions on 7 June 2023 for GBP 20,000 (USD 24,897).
Tate Ward Auctions: 7 June 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 18,000
GBP 20,000 / USD 24,897
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 18,000
GBP 20,000 / USD 24,897
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Turf War (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 750 in pencil
Turf War (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 750 in pencil
2022 Auction Results
Turf War (unsigned) sold twice at auction in 2022 at Forum Auctions in London on 19 July 2022 for GBP 32,160 (USD 39,557), and at Roseberys in London, on 8 March 2022 for GBP 31,200 (USD 43,748).
Forum Auctions: 19 July 2022
Estimated: GBP 24,000 – 32,000
GBP 32,160 / USD 39,557
Estimated: GBP 24,000 – 32,000
GBP 32,160 / USD 39,557
BANKSY
Turf War (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 750 in pencil
Turf War (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 750 in pencil
Roseberys: 8 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 22,000 – 28,000
GBP 31,200 / USD 43,748
Estimated: GBP 22,000 – 28,000
GBP 31,200 / USD 43,748
BANKSY
Turf War (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 750 in pencil
2. Turf War (signed)
Turf War (signed) sold once at auction in 2024, on 1 May 2024, at Bonhams London, for GBP 40,960 (USD 51,200). It last sold at auction at Forum Auctions on 27 October 2020, for GBP 110,200 (USD 143,740).
Bonhams London: 1 May 2024
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 40,960 / USD 51,200
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 40,960 / USD 51,200
BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Turf War (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered 59/750 and inscribed ‘DN’ in pencil
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered 59/750 and inscribed ‘DN’ in pencil
Forum Auctions: 27 October 2020
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 110,200 / USD 143,740
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 110,200 / USD 143,740
BANKSY
Turf War (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in black ink and numbered from the edition of 750
Turf War (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in black ink and numbered from the edition of 750
