Flying Copper (Unsigned)
by Banksy
Year: 2003
Medium: Screen Print on paper
Size: 100 x 70cm
Edition of 600
Pest Control Certificate Include
Banksy’s Flying Copper (Unsigned) (2003) is a large-format screenprint on paper measuring 100 × 70 cm, issued in a limited edition of 600. Emerging from the artist’s early 2000s interrogation of authority and state power, the work reimagines the figure of law enforcement through a disarming visual inversion that underscores themes of control and surveillance. Its commanding scale, cultural resonance, and Pest Control Certificate of Authenticity ensure verified provenance and sustained collector demand within the contemporary print market.
Submit an inquiry to receive authentic photos of the artwork, pricing details, and guidance on how to purchase.
Banksy’s Flying Copper first appeared as a screen print in the early 2000s, a period when the artist was increasingly focused on policing, surveillance, and the visual language of authority. The work is best known as a studio-based edition rather than a confirmed street mural, as its composition relies on controlled symbolism and stylized design rather than a specific urban intervention.
The image shows a police officer with a smiley face head and wings, blending symbols of authority with irony and distortion. This contrast reframes law enforcement as both familiar and unsettling, highlighting Banksy’s recurring themes of control, state power, and the way authority is visually constructed in public space. The wings suggest elevation or protection, while the weaponry introduces tension, creating a dual reading of safety and threat.
Symbolically, Flying Copper reflects the artist’s broader critique of institutional power and the way authority is normalized through imagery and repetition. The use of a smiley face adds another layer of irony, questioning how friendliness and force can coexist within public perception.
For collectors, Flying Copper remains a highly sought-after Banksy print due to its rarity, strong visual identity, and clear political commentary. Demand continues in the secondary market, driven by its recognizable symbolism and its place within Banksy’s early exploration of policing and control. Today, it stands as a key example of how the artist transforms authority into visual paradox.
Banksy is a world-famous British street artist known for politically charged graffiti and an anonymous identity. Emerging from the Bristol underground scene in the 1990s, Banksy became a leading figure connecting street art, graffiti art, and contemporary art movements. His work combines satire, activism, and social commentary in ways that connect with both casual viewers and serious collectors.
Banksy’s iconic works, such as Girl with Balloon, Flower Thrower, and Love is in the Bin helped define his career and transformed street art into a respected part of the global art market. His visual style is instantly recognizable through stencil techniques, bold black-and-white contrasts, and sharp messages about war, consumerism, and inequality.
Banksy holds major market importance because his original works and authenticated prints regularly sell for millions at international auctions. Demand remains strong among collectors due to limited supply, global recognition, and cultural relevance.
Beyond the market, Banksy changed how people view public art. He brought graffiti into galleries, museums, and mainstream culture while keeping its rebellious spirit alive. From an investment perspective, Banksy is considered one of the strongest contemporary art names, with steady collector demand and long-term appeal across generations.
More Banksy Works to Explore
Flying Copper (Unsigned)
by Banksy
Year: 2003
Medium: Screen Print on paper
Size: 100 x 70cm
Edition of 600
Banksy’s Flying Copper (Unsigned) (2003) is a large-format screenprint on paper measuring 100 × 70 cm, issued in a limited edition of 600. Emerging from the artist’s early 2000s interrogation of authority and state power, the work reimagines the figure of law enforcement through a disarming visual inversion that underscores themes of control and surveillance. Its commanding scale, cultural resonance, and Pest Control Certificate of Authenticity ensure verified provenance and sustained collector demand within the contemporary print market.
Banksy’s Flying Copper first appeared as a screen print in the early 2000s, a period when the artist was increasingly focused on policing, surveillance, and the visual language of authority. The work is best known as a studio-based edition rather than a confirmed street mural, as its composition relies on controlled symbolism and stylized design rather than a specific urban intervention.
The image shows a police officer with a smiley face head and wings, blending symbols of authority with irony and distortion. This contrast reframes law enforcement as both familiar and unsettling, highlighting Banksy’s recurring themes of control, state power, and the way authority is visually constructed in public space. The wings suggest elevation or protection, while the weaponry introduces tension, creating a dual reading of safety and threat.
Symbolically, Flying Copper reflects the artist’s broader critique of institutional power and the way authority is normalized through imagery and repetition. The use of a smiley face adds another layer of irony, questioning how friendliness and force can coexist within public perception.
For collectors, Flying Copper remains a highly sought-after Banksy print due to its rarity, strong visual identity, and clear political commentary. Demand continues in the secondary market, driven by its recognizable symbolism and its place within Banksy’s early exploration of policing and control. Today, it stands as a key example of how the artist transforms authority into visual paradox.
Banksy is a world-famous British street artist known for politically charged graffiti and an anonymous identity. Emerging from the Bristol underground scene in the 1990s, Banksy became a leading figure connecting street art, graffiti art, and contemporary art movements. His work combines satire, activism, and social commentary in ways that connect with both casual viewers and serious collectors.
Banksy’s iconic works, such as Girl with Balloon, Flower Thrower, and Love is in the Bin helped define his career and transformed street art into a respected part of the global art market. His visual style is instantly recognizable through stencil techniques, bold black-and-white contrasts, and sharp messages about war, consumerism, and inequality.
Banksy holds major market importance because his original works and authenticated prints regularly sell for millions at international auctions. Demand remains strong among collectors due to limited supply, global recognition, and cultural relevance.
Beyond the market, Banksy changed how people view public art. He brought graffiti into galleries, museums, and mainstream culture while keeping its rebellious spirit alive. From an investment perspective, Banksy is considered one of the strongest contemporary art names, with steady collector demand and long-term appeal across generations.