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Banksy, the enigmatic street artist famous for his thought-provoking pieces, consistently pushes boundaries and ignites discussions with works like “Morons.” Created in 2006, this piece delivers a sharp critique of the art market and explores the concept of value within contemporary culture.
This particular screen print stands as a biting satire of the art industry, debuting at Banksy’s renowned exhibition, Barely Legal, held in a Los Angeles warehouse. “Morons” is part of the exclusive Barely Legal print collection, which also features other significant works such as Grannies, Applause, Trolleys, Sale Ends, and Festival.
The title, “Morons,” provocatively labels those swept up in the excitement of art auctions, often missing the profound dialogues and insights that art has the potential to inspire. The work challenges the viewer to reflect on their own perceptions of art and its worth. Is it determined by technical skill, the artist’s fame, or the mere hype that drives the value of a piece? Banksy’s work suggests that many operate on a superficial level, valuing art based on market trends rather than intrinsic beauty or meaning
The artwork is deeply rooted in a pivotal moment in art history, referencing Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, which fetched an astounding £22,500,000 at Christie’s in 1987. This sale set a new benchmark for auction prices and marked the beginning of the era of mega-lot auctions. In “Morons,” Banksy challenges art collectors by featuring a large canvas with the bold, unapologetic message: “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU MORONS ACTUALLY BUY THIS SHIT.” With this, he mocks those who are willing to bid exorbitantly for artworks.
Banksy – Morons Print
Originally released as an edition of 100 unsigned prints at the Barely Legal exhibition for $500 each, this print has seen various reissues, including an eye-catching sepia version.
At first glance, “Morons (Sepia)” captures the viewer’s attention with its striking imagery—a classic, sepia-toned print reminiscent of classical masterworks. However, the message is far from traditional. The piece features a crowd of people eagerly bidding at an auction, with a satirical twist. Banksy’s signature style often employs irony, and here he critiques the commercialisation of art, questioning whether the buyers understand the true value of what they are purchasing.
Additionally, the warm sepia tone infuses a sense of history into almost any piece, encouraging reflection on our perception of art across time. By employing this colour palette, Banksy invites viewers back to Chrisites in 1987. The sepia version also features a digital auction price for the artwork, set at $750,450.
Banksy – Morons (Sepia) Print . Purchase artwork here.
Additionally, there are some signed versions of the “Morons” print by Banksy.
Ultimately, “Morons” is a striking reminder of the nuances within the art world. Banksy cleverly uses his platform to challenge societal norms, encouraging us to think critically about the world around us—and perhaps, to reconsider the way we define art itself.
We currently have Banksy’s “Morons (sepia)” on consignment. The artwork is available for viewing in our Chichester gallery and via our online store here. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
