Very Little Helps, 2008
Edition: 299 signed
Very Little Helps, also known as Tesco Flag, or Tesco Kids, shows a group of children surrounding a flagpole. Instead of raising a flag, one of them is raising a Tesco branded plastic bag while the other two are pledging their allegiance with their hands on their hearts, against a serene blue background. A clear reference to Tesco’s famous slogan “Every little helps” Banksy denounces the presence of the supermarket chain on almost every high street in Britain and, in some ways, its forcing out of diversity and independence.
The original on canvas of Very Little Helps, entitled Pledge Allegiance to the Flag, sold at Sotheby’s in London on 15 October 2010 for GBP 82,850.
Pledge Allegiance To The Flag, 2008
Oil on canvas
76.2×61 cm (30×24 inches)
Obviously, the flag also illustrates the theory that some corporations have become so large and omnipresent in our everyday lives that they are as powerful as nation states. In its critique of Tesco, this work joins previous prints such as Soup Can which focuses on the ‘Tesco value’ range of soups. At the same time, paying homage to Warhol‘s iconic Campbell Soup, Banksy makes a statement on the latent poverty of the working class in the UK, as well as on the uniformization of consumer’s products.
Very Little Helps first appeared in 2008 on a mural located on the side of a pharmacy on Essex Road in North London. The mural soon became the subject of public and media speculation and, sadly, was subsequently vandalized provoking further discussion on the distinctions between street art and graffiti.
Today it remains partially damaged with the Tesco flag painted over and replaced with a tag from rival UK street artist King Robbo. Later, Banksy released Very Little Helps as a series of only 299 signed prints.
DESCRIPTION
Very Little Helps
Year: 2008
Medium: Screen-print in colors on Arches wove paper
Size: 76×56 cm (30×22 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
Editions
Edition: 299 signed
Numbering and Signature
Signed in blue crayon, lower right
Numbered /299 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
AUCTION RESULTS
Updated as of 15 March 2023
Very Little Helps, 2008
Signed in blue pencil, lower right
Numbered 246/299 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Heritage Auctions: 28 July 2022
USD 43,750
Very Little Helps, 2008
Signed in blue crayon, lower right
Numbered 271/299 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
GBP 52,920 / USD 66,879
Very Little Helps, 2008
Signed in blue crayon, lower right
Numbered 148/299 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Christie’s online: 23 September 2021
GBP 75,000 / USD 104,250
Very Little Helps, 2008
Signed in blue pencil, lower right
Numbered 77/299 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
GBP 75,600 / USD 105,084
